April 25, 2012
The University Chorale, one of OBU's premiere vocal ensembles, will present spring tour performances in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas May 13-21. The public is welcome to attend the free performances.
On Sunday, May 13, the Chorale will perform at First Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, during the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. That evening, the group will sing at South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo during the 6 p.m. service.
On Monday, May 14, the group will travel to Albuquerque, N.M., to present a 7 p.m. concert at Sandia Baptist Church. Prior to the concert, a 5:30 p.m. dinner will be held for OBU alumni and prospective students.
On Tuesday afternoon, May 15, the Chorale will perform at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington, N.M. At 7 p.m., the Chorale will sing at First Baptist Church, Farmington.
On Wednesday, May 16, the University Chorale will sing at Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colo., during the 6:30 p.m. service.
On Thursday morning, May 17, the Chorale will perform at Highlands Ranch High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., and then travel to Aurora, Colo., to perform at Mississippi Avenue Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Prior to the concert, a 5:30 p.m. dinner will be held for OBU alumni and prospective students.
On Sunday, May 20, the Chorale will sing at Vista Grande Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., during the 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. worship services.
On Monday, May 21, the University Chorale will conclude its spring tour with a morning performance at Guymon High School in Guymon, Okla.
Since the University Chorale's founding in 1963, the group has been comprised of some of the finest singers on OBU's campus selected by audition. The choir's primary purpose is to "present advanced choral literature to the OBU campus and community."
University Chorale is in demand for performances across the state and maintains an active performing schedule on and off campus. Within the past seven years, the Chorale has made appearances at the Church Music Workshop, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association In-service Workshop, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Southwestern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association.
The Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Brent Ballweg, Burton H. Patterson professor of music and director of choral activities at OBU. He received a bachelor's degree from OBU and a master's degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his doctorate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Ballweg is an active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for various festivals, music contests, and workshops across the country.
For additional information about the spring tour performances, contact the OBU Division of Music at (405) 878-2305.
Register online for the dinners for OBU alumni and prospective students, or call (405) 878-2706.