Southern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale Presents Joy! - A Concert Series of Uplifting Works

Wed, 04/24/2024 - 02:32pm

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Coast Civic Chorale invites audiences to experience Joy! an invigorating concert celebration with performances at two venues on the Gulf Coast.

Led by Dr. Jonathan C. Kilgore, Assistant Professor of music and Associate Director of Choral Activities, along with assistant conductors and graduate students Connor Schuster and Kalyn Bales, these performances promise to be a highlight of the spring cultural calendar.

The concert series will open with the first concert on Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s-By-Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport, Miss. The celebration will continue with a repeat matinee concert on Sunday April 28 at 2:30 p.m. at the Auditorium in the Fleming Education Center on the USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, Miss.

Joy! is the culmination of the chorale’s 29th season, and part of the esteemed USM Gulf Park Ambassador series. The program features a carefully curated selection of works by prominent contemporary composers such as Ola Gjeilo, Morten Lauridsen, Mack Wilberg, and Elaine Hagenberg. It also includes a unique composition titled "Joy" by Hans Bridger Heruth, chosen specifically to encapsulate the theme of joy and celebration that defines the concert series.

Dr. Kilgore’s leadership not only showcases his profound dedication to choral excellence but also reflects his commitment to enriching the cultural landscape of the Gulf Coast. Under his direction, the chorale explores the depths of contemporary choral music, bringing to life pieces that resonate with the vibrancy of spring and the promise of renewal.

Dr. Kilgore shares his excitement about the upcoming performances, stating, “These concerts not only signify the close of another successful season, but also provide a platform to showcase the extraordinary talent of our Southern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale. The selection of music, brimming with inspiring and joyful compositions, is designed to uplift spirits and celebrate the essence of spring.”

With free admission, the Ambassador Series events offer a wonderful opportunity for all music lovers to experience the transformative power of choral music in a community setting.

Learn more about the Ambassador Series.