BSC Concert Choir

The Concert Choir’s history began with late BSC music professors Raymond Anderson and Hugh Thomas. Each brought his musicianship and dedication to the Concert Choir and established the foundation of quality the college strives to continue today. Since 1993, the choir has been led by Dr. Lester Seigel, who holds the Joseph Hugh Thomas endowed professorship at Birmingham-Southern.

The 38 mixed-voice ensemble tours extensively and has made appearances in Europe, and at regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association. The Concert Choir also periodically performs major works with members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The choir has issued several CD recordings of music for the holiday season, featuring selections from the annual Carol Service.

In June 2007, the Choir toured in the Czech Republic and Austria, performing in several distinguished locales (Vienna’s Karlskirche, shown above), including a command performance for the US Embassy in Prague at the historic Clam-Gallas Palace.

Performances in 2008-2009:

Sunday, November 23, 2008, at 5:30 PM

At Canterbury United Methodist Church (click for directions)
J. S. Bach: MAGNIFICAT

The BSC Concert Choir is joined by the Canterbury United Methodist Church Choir and members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in this pivotal work by Johann Sebastian Bach, composed for his first Christmas as Cantor of the Thomaskirche in Leipzig.

 

Friday, December 5, 2008, at 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 7, 2008, at 4:30 PM

At Canterbury United Methodist Church (click for directions)
The 72nd ANNUAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

The BSC Concert Choir is joined by the BSC Southern Chorale and Alumni Choir in this annual Hilltop tradition. Begun in the 1930s at McCoy Methodist Church near the campus, this beautiful service has been held at Canterbury since 1994. It continues to “start the season” for thousands of students, parents, alumni and friends.

March 18-24, 2009

ANNUAL SPRING TOUR
The Choir makes its annual tour. Itinerary and program forthcoming!

April 5, 2009, 4:00 PM

At Canterbury United Methodist Church (click for directions)

HOMECOMING PERFORMANCE
The choir returns from its annual tour with a program focused on the environment, featuring works by Morten Lauridsen, Kirke Mechem, Johannes Brahms, Kenneth Leighton, and more.

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7:30 PM

BSC Hill Recital Hall
MASTER CLASS WITH SIMON CARRINGTON

The Master Class Series presents Simon Carrington, Professor of Choral Conducting at Yale University, and founder and first Artistic Director of The King’s Singers, in a presentation with the BSC Concert Choir. Carrington is one of the most sought-after conductors and clinicians in America and Europe, and is renowned for his work with Yale’s Schola Cantorum and other fine ensembles.

Hear the Choir!

Excerpts from the Choir’s 2006-2007 repertoire:

• Gaude Virgo mater Christi
• Children, Go Where I Send Thee – Spiritual, arr. Morris