- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choir Students Debut at Carnegie Hall

John Hill — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 14:06:40 +0000

For Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, conducting at Carnegie Hall for the first time ever was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that she will never forget. “To conduct at Carnegie Hall was everything I thought it would be and more,” Mason said. “Spending time in the Maestro Suite before the concert, where the world’s greatest conductors throughout history have sat and prepared for performances, was special and humbling. Pictures of the greats hang all through the halls backstage, and the spirit of the concert hall is everywhere. It is a beautiful place, where music meets humanity, and you can feel it when you are in the space. There are no words to properly describe the feeling of performing here, and it is an experience that will not soon be forgotten.” Mason led a group of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs students and alumni for their debut performance June 26 at in New York City. She conducted a performance of Francis Poulenc’s masterwork “Gloria” along with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and accompanying choirs from Arkansas. This included performers from Berryville High School, Robinson High School, and Una Voce from Wildwood Park for the Arts. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who are attending the trip include Jessica Arellanes, LaVerne Bell, Hannah Blacklaw, Kyndal Collins, Sean Davis, Brent Foster II, Magali Gomez, Josh Gregory, Stacy Howard-Parchel, Reanna Jiles, Kaitlyn Kendrick, Laila Petties-Leon, Carmen Ramirez, Kenshayla Robinson, McKenzie Smith, Damion Snowden, Christian Waldron, Yvonne Melendez-Whalen, and Jonathan Wyatt. They will be joined by alumni Jillian Hall, Jade Keathley, and Gerald Mayo as well as Sharon Downs, Leann Jones, and Yvette Palmer. While the trip got off to a rocky start with their flight from Chicago to New York City getting canceled on June 23, the group was able to reschedule through numerous flights and airlines to arrive before their rehearsals began June 24. “The students carried themselves with integrity and joy,” Mason said. “Their leadership was inspiring. They represented the choral program, the university, and our city beautifully. Rehearsals progressed efficiently, and the group had a great time outside of rehearsal as well. The dress rehearsal and performance were spectacular. We received a standing ovation for our performance. There were a number of reactions after the concert from our singers, including smiles and tears and everything in between. It was truly a remarkable experience.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs students visit New York City.

Sharon Downs, assistant vice chancellor of student affairs and a longtime ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs member, said Carnegie Hall was quite a sight to behold. “I tried to take it all in at Carnegie Hall during the dress rehearsal Sunday morning. It’s a stunning space with so much history,” Downs said. “When we performed that afternoon with an audience, it was tempting to be swept away again. Dr. Lorissa Mason did a masterful job of bringing all the vocal groups together to form one unified choir, and of conducting us and the orchestra at Carnegie Hall. My fellow choir students represented the university well, both in terms of their musical gifts and their patience and gracious attitudes. To say I’m proud of them is an understatement.” Aside from musical performances and practices, the group experience Broadway shows, unique dining, museums, subway experiences, Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, shopping, a dinner cruise around the Statue of Liberty, and more. As for it being a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it will now be a twice-in-a-lifetime experience for Mason as she revealed that she has been invited back to conduct future concerts at Carnegie Hall.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to Perform at Carnegie Hall on June 26

John Hill — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 15:03:05 +0000

About 20 students in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs will make their debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 26. Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, will conduct the performance of Francis Poulenc’s masterwork “Gloria” along with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students, and accompanying choirs from Arkansas. Altogether, approximately 80 singers from Arkansas will be performing at Carnegie Hall during the afternoon concert that begins at 2 p.m. This will include 19 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students and three alumni, 35 from Berryville High School, 20 from Robinson High School, and 10 from Una Voca from Wildwood Park for the Arts. “It’s really humbling because a lot of people can’t say I got the chance to sing at Carnegie Hall with a university choir,” said Brent Foster II, a junior music education major from Wrightsville. “I think it will be a really great experience to get to perform on such a caliber of stage where a lot of great musicians and composers have performed their works. You never know who is watching. While I’m performing at Carnegie Hall, someone may look up to me and say, ‘one day I am going to do that too.’” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who are attending the trip include Jessica Arellanes, LaVerne Bell, Hannah Blacklaw, Kyndal Collins, Sean Davis, Brent Foster II, Magali Gomez, Josh Gregory, Stacy Howard-Parchel, Reanna Jiles, Kaitlyn Kendrick, Laila Petties-Leon, Carmen Ramirez, Kenshayla Robinson, McKenzie Smith, Damion Snowden, Christian Waldron, Yvonne Melendez-Whalen, and Jonathan Wyatt. They will be joined by alumni Jillian Hall, Jade Keathley, and Gerald Mayo as well as Sharon Downs, Leann Jones, and Yvette Palmer. The students have been fundraising for more than a year to raise the money to go on this trip. Their efforts have included bake sales, a Halloween fall festival, vocal arts festival, concerts, a gala, auctions, and more. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to spread my music to different places as I continue to develop as a musician,” said Kyndal Collins, a junior vocal education major from Little Rock. “If it wasn’t for this trip, I’d probably be trying to find a way to go on my own. I’ve been given this opportunity to share my gift for music outside of Arkansas. I have such gratitude for the opportunity to do this. I wanted to thank the donors and my teachers for helping us to receive the opportunity to do this.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choir students rehearse for their June 26 performance at Carnegie Hall. Photo by Ben Krain.

News of the Carnegie Hall performance has inspired much community support. The students have received a number of donations that include a $25,000 anonymous donation and a $3,000 donation from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Government Association. Altogether, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choir students received nearly $40,000 in donations to support the trip. “I’ve learned that this trip has inspired the students and jump started the musical choir program,” Mason said. “It’s been rewarding to see student leaders emerge and to contribute in a way they haven’t before. They are eager to make their mark as artists. That is what this is all about. I think every musician should have an opportunity to travel and perform together. It builds bonds as they grow into their future careers. It also gives them world experience and a different viewpoint. There is more to music than what we can do here.” Jessica Arellanes, a senior music education major, said she is looking forward to telling stories about her accomplishments to her son. “I think being able to put on your resume that you performed at Carnegie Hall is a huge, huge thing for any musician,” she said. “I am a single mom of a four-year-old son, Oliver. I think it is cool for him to see me going to school and going to the concert. He gets to see mommy go do big things.” Besides singing at Carnegie Hall, Arellanes is looking forward to visiting the top of Rockefeller Center, where her parents got engaged, on her first trip to New York City. Students will also be seeing a Broadway show, visiting Times Square, and taking a cruise of New York Harbor. “The thing I am looking forward to the most is spending time with my friends and classmates,” said Carmen Ramirez, a May graduate of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Now that I’ve graduated, it might be the last time I get to spend with them. Carnegie Hall is one of the biggest places to perform at in the world. I’m hoping it opens up doors for me to perform or conduct.” For future Carnegie Hall plans, Mason has already been invited to conduct a second performance at Carnegie Hall in 2024. This time she will lead a festival choir of talented youth singers from around the country.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to Hold Concert at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church April 23

John Hill — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 13:54:50 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Choirs will hold a special concert performance of Francis Poulenc’s masterwork “Gloria” at 7:30 p.m. April 23, at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi St., Little Rock. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs will be joined by Robinson High School Singing Senators and Una Voce at Wildwood Park for the Arts. This concert represents the home presentation of the piece the musical groups will perform in concert with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall June 26, which will be the first time ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has ever performed at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will serve as the conductor; Nicole Keeling, guest soprano soloist; and Leann Jones, pianist. The concert will begin with various selections by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choral ensembles. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Women’s Choir will perform “Koowu” by Maryam Khoury, “Where the Light Begins” by Susan Labarr, and “Music Down in My Soul” by Moses Hogan. The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chamber Singers will perform “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus. “Elijah Rock” by Moses Hogan. Additionally, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Concert Choir will perform “Psalm 23” with student composer Brent Foster II and “Psalm 19” with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumni composer Gerald Mayo. The concert is free and open to the public, and donations will be accepted to benefit ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs programming.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Broadway Showcase and Soiree on Feb. 12

John Hill — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:40:47 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Choirs will host a Broadway Showcase and Soiree from 7-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fine Arts Building. The event will feature live music, food and drinks, and a silent auction. Tickets are $10 for the public and $5 for students. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs will perform songs from South Pacific, Little Women, Dream Girls, Company, The Wiz, and more. All proceeds will go to benefit ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs. Funds will be used for student recruitment, success, and engagement projects. In one project, about 30 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students are traveling to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall for the first time in June 2022. Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, will serve as the conductor for the performance. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs is home to three vibrant ensembles and a recently premiered small ensemble. They include the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Concert Choir, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Women’s Choir, the Chamber Singers, and Night Shift. Items available at the silent auction include catering from Grand Old Lady Catering House, golf lessons with a professional golf instructor, a variety of art selections including creations from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock art students and professors, gift baskets, and gift certificates to local restaurants. For more information, contact Dr. Mason at ldmason@ualr.edu or visit this website.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to Perform at Carnegie Hall in June 2022

John Hill — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 13:31:43 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Choirs will make their debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 25, 2022, with Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities, conducting the performance. “This is the first time a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choral group has ever performed at Carnegie Hall,” said Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities. “Carnegie Hall is the preeminent concert hall in the United States and one of the top five concert halls in the world. It’s a trip to New York City where the students get to experience the life of a musical artist and the culture of the city. For a number of our students, it will be the first time they’ve traveled outside of Arkansas.” The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs are leading a year-long fundraising campaign to raise the estimated $75,000 to pay for approximately 30 students who will be traveling to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall. The choral ensembles have received a $3,000 donation from the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student Government Association. Donations in support of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choral ensembles may be made via . “Performing in a place like Carnegie Hall is one of the highest honors I feel you can have as a singer,” said McKenzie Smith, a junior music education major from Benton. “Thank you doesn’t even begin to cover it for all those who have and will donate to help us achieve this once in a lifetime goal.” In addition to several rehearsals and the performance at Carnegie Hall, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock musicians will also see a Broadway show and go on a dinner cruise tour of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs is home to three vibrant ensembles and a recently premiered small ensemble. They include the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Concert Choir, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Women’s Choir, the Chamber Singers, and Night Shift. “I have recently started my singing journey, and it has been an exciting and rewarding experience,” said Max Reyes, a junior music performance major from Sherwood. “Singing in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choir has helped me become a better performer and musician. To be able to have the opportunity to sing in a historic and monumental locale would be an honor to the choir’s achievements thus far. I would be proud to represent my school and peers and showcase what we have accomplished during troubling times.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs will be performing Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria” at Carnegie Hall. This is one of Poulenc’s most famous works consisting of six movements. They will also sing a home performance of the Carnegie Hall concert April 23, 2022, hosted by Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choirs will be joined by the choirs of Robinson High School and Berryville High School and Una Voca from Wildwood Park for the Arts. Members of the public and the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock community have plenty of chances to support the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock choral ensembles as they prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall. “To say that singing in New York has been a lifelong dream of mine is a complete understatement,” said Kaitlyn Kendrick, a sophomore music performance major from Maumelle. “Ever since I was a little girl, I imagined myself performing all over New York and to be able to experience such a high honor like singing in Carnegie Hall is more than I could have imagined I would be doing so early in my career. Music has always been my passion and this is one of the greatest things that could happen for a young singer. We appreciate any and all support to come to help us grant so many student’s wishes to come true!” The next event in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs Carnegie Hall Fundraising Campaign is a rummage sale on Sept. 18. Upcoming fundraising events include: Oct. 30 – October-fest and We Sing! 5K Race Nov. 20 – Live auction, silent auction, and pie auction Dec. 4 – Vocal Arts Festival Dec. 7-21 – Christmas Caroling for Hire Jan. 18-28, 2022 – Carnegie Hall Donor/Sponsor Drive Feb. 11-14, 2022 – Singing Valentines March 17, 2022 – ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Giving Day April 2, 2022 – Spring Vocal Arts Festival April 23, 2022 – Concert at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church April 30, 2022 – Music Gala For more information on these events, contact Dr. Mason at ldmason@ualr.edu or visit this website.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Concert Choir to hold performance May 6-9

John Hill — Wed, 05 May 2021 15:29:19 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Concert Choir will be performing a vocal music extravaganza as a fundraising event for a summer 2022 performance at Carnegie Hall. The event, “Music of the Night: Vocal Arts Extravaganza,” will be recorded live on May 1 and aired on at 7 p.m. May 6-8 and 3 p.m. May 9. “The event will feature vocal solos, duets, and ensembles from the classical canon, jazz, music theatre, and opera,” said Dr. Lorissa Mason, director of choral activities. “The program includes music from Phantom of the Opera, Hansel and Gretel, Westside Story, The Wiz, and more. It is sure to be an evening to remember.” The event is also a fundraiser for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Concert Choir, who have been invited to make their debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June 2022. Donations may be made via .

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Choir Students Debut at Carnegie Hall

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to Perform at Carnegie Hall on June 26

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to Hold Concert at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church April 23

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Host Broadway Showcase and Soiree on Feb. 12

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Choirs to Perform at Carnegie Hall in June 2022