News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE MARCH 6, 2008

ABAC Singers Performing Appreciation Concert MARCh 11

TIFTON – The ABAC Chamber Singers and Jazz Choir will present a Thank You concert March 11 in the Chapel of All Faiths at 7 p.m. The concert featuring Broadway tunes and is free of charge to everyone in appreciation for all of their support.  The concert will also feature a dramatic monologue by Kody Jones and Elizabeth Powell.

This concert is a prelude to the choirs’ trip to New York March 14 -17 to sing at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Asissi in midtown Manhattan just around the corner from Penn Station and near Madison Square Garden.

Opening 156 years ago as a primarily German parish, St. Francis of Assisi Church is one of the city's oldest parishes. Now it is also home to immigrants of Korean, Filipino, Portuguese, African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, Central and Eastern European descent. 

The group submitted selections from its 2007 Fall Concert to churches and other performing venues in New York City. It was invited to sing at several of them, but St. Francis fit into the group’s spring break schedule. Performing there at this time is an extreme honor since March 16 is Palm Sunday and St. Francis is one of the largest parishes in the city.

The choirs will perform “Hold Out Your Light” by Moses Hogan, “Great Day” by Ron Kauffmann, “Cantique de Jean Racine” by John Rutter, and “Set Me As A Seal” by Rene Clausen. 

In their downtime, choir members will have a four-hour guided tour of the city, including many main attractions and have the opportunity to attend two Broadway plays.  Before departing New York, choristers will view the St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The choirs are under the direction of ABAC Director of Choirs and associate professor of voice, Dr. Susan Roe. The students participating in this tour include Joshua Barber, Rebekah Bowen, Tori Bozeman, Allison Brown, Jessica Cone, Willie L. Dean, Jr., Marshall Faircloth, Rosanna Grasser, Rachel Green, Perry Greer, Michael Hamilton, Taylor Hand, Joshua Harrell, Matthew Harrell, Brian Holland, Jones, Trent Lumpkin, Jamie Mitcham, Brittany Moody, Erlencia Mumphery, Haley Parrish, Joe Peacock, Kyle Phelps, Powell, Megan Pro, Lindsey Roberts, Savannah Rogers, Meagan Royal, Samantha Tankersley, Rachel West, and Ashley Williams.  Membership in these two choirs demands that each student must be a member of the ABAC Concert Choir and then be selected by an audition process.

For more information on the ABAC choirs contact Roe at 229-391-4943.