Tuesday’s (4/6) Hattiesburg American (Mississippi) reports, “The combined forces of the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Hattiesburg Choral Union and Meistersingers will present Edwin Penhorwood’s ‘An American Requiem’ as a tribute to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Main Street Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. The concert was commissioned by the Southern Mississippi School of Music after Taylor Hightower, assistant professor of voice, and Gregory Fuller, director of choral activities, approached Penhorwood about doing a project in memory of Hurricane Katrina. Aug. 29, 2010, marks the fifth anniversary of Katrina’s devastation on the Gulf Coast. … The upcoming performance of Penhorwood’s 17-movement composition involves approximately 300 talented musicians, including faculty and student soloists from Southern Miss. … Using the talents of these groups, Fuller will present an engaging juxtaposition of traditional requiem text and original poetry that illustrates the human experience. A true American requiem, this performance merges modern harmony with American folk music blends like ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ and immediately follows the Latin text with an English translation.”
Posted April 6, 2010
