News Release: 9/27/2017
Press Release for September 26. For more information, contact Susan Harper or Colleen Means at 870-862-5474
Singers Invited to Join Messiah Concert |
The El Dorado Chorale welcomes Dr. David DeSeguirant as the conductor/artistic director for their holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah. DeSeguirant has been the El Dorado Chorale’s guest conductor for many years, and continually brings fresh ideas for the singers to enjoy.
“I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who participated in their high school, college, or church choir to join the EDC on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm beginning October 2, at the EHS Choral Room, 2000 Wildcat Drive, in El Dorado,” said DeSeguirant.
“When I was much younger, I fell in love with ‘Messiah’, especially the Christmas portion. I suppose the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recording that was played every Christmas on our Bay Area radio station caused me to associate Handel’s music with all of the trappings of the Christmas season at our home. I recall reading the story from back of the album jacket of how the entire oratorio was composed in the span of two weeks. It wasn’t until I was much older that I became somewhat dismayed to learn many musical elements of ‘Messiah’ were lifted by Handel from his operas. But Handel was a true entrepreneur and marketer of his art, and those present in the audience during performances of ‘Messiah’ may very well have had numerous dèjá vu moments as familiar melodies were presented in a very different context,” said DeSeguirant.
“The El Dorado Chorale features the Christmas portion of ‘Messiah’ again this fall as it has for odd-numbered years since 1990. Yet, it is our desire to present Handel’s masterpiece in such a way that our singers experience it anew, even while familiar sounds usher in the crowning season of the year. We have ample resources to assist those who have never performed ‘Messiah’, and as a staple of choral repertoire, every singer should have a performance on their ‘to do’ list. Of course, we welcome all of our experienced singers back, and I know they will be very happy to have new singers join us for this event. Please consider this my personal invitation to you to join the El Dorado Chorale as we prepare to embrace the Christmas season again in El Dorado,” said DeSeguirant.
De SeGuirant is the Director of Choral Activities at Southern Arkansas University where he conducts the Heritage Singers and the Chamber Singers. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition at Oklahoma Baptist University in 1986 where he studied conducting with the late James D. Woodward and Dr. Michael Cox. In 1987 he began his graduate studies at The University of Oklahoma under Dr. Dennis Shrock, Professor Emeritus of Music, earning a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting (1989) and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting (1994). He served as the Assistant Conductor of Oklahoma City-based Canterbury Choral Society and the University of Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra. David has been an active church musician, the Vocal Music Director of Ada Public Schools in Ada, Oklahoma, and Director of Choral Activities at the University of the Ozarks (1996-2005) and Oklahoma Baptist University (2005-2010). He has been an active clinician for numerous high school choirs and regional honor choirs throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas. David, along with his wife Malea and his son Matthew, resides in Magnolia, Arkansas.
For more information about how you can become involved with the El Dorado Chorale, contact the SAAC office at 862-5474.