Centenary Camerata presents "Then Sings My Soul" February 5
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary’s Camerata choral ensemble will give its winter concert, “Then Sings My Soul,” on Monday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans. The concert, featuring a cappella choral music, is free and open to the public.
“A cappella choral music requires a specific skill set, which is an integral part of a musician’s training,” says Dr. Cory Wikan, Camerata’s director. “Singing the right notes and rhythms can be difficult. The absence of instruments to help singers maintain pitch adds another level of complexity, which is both challenging and aurally exciting. Presenting the text musically, yet intelligibly, further complicates the performance. It isn’t easy, but Camerata is working hard to make it look and sound like it’s all a piece of cake.”
The concert features beautiful music set to sacred Latin and English texts. Camerata will perform pieces by late Renaissance composers such as Byrd, de Lassus, Palestrina, Sweelinck, and Victoria. Wikan is especially excited to present Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices, an exquisite example of his mastery of polyphonic composition. Works by contemporary composers Morten Lauridsen and Dr. James Eakin offer a lovely contrast to the Renaissance selections. Eakin, a 2000 Centenary graduate, has recently joined the faculty at the Hurley School of Music.
“We are very excited to perform Eakin’s O bone Jesu,” says Wikan. “Working with living composers is always rewarding, and we are lucky to have such a talented composer and pedagogue at Centenary College.”
Camerata, founded in 1983, is the select chamber choir from the Hurley School of Music. The composition of the group is primarily voice majors, though membership is open to all Centenary students by audition.