SPRINGFIELD, Mo., January 29, 2020 — The Springfield-Drury Civic Orchestra will premiere a choral-orchestral work by Dr. Carlyle Sharpe during its “Masterworks II” concert at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 5, at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
Sharpe’s new work, “Of These Years I Sing,” will feature the Drury University Chorale and mezzo-soprano Ann Marie Wilcox-Daehn. The piece draws inspiration from 11 different poems by Walt Whitman which focus on freedom, death, and the triumphs and messiness of democracy, as well as the importance of women and mothers in society. The work was completed in December and aligns with the bicentennial year of Whitman’s birth in 2019.
Sharpe is professor of music in composition and theory at Drury. A recipient of the Drury University Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship, his cantata, “Proud Music of the Storm,” was featured on the National Endowment for the Arts “American Masterpieces” concerts with the Providence Singers and was also performed by the Washington Chorus at The Kennedy Center.
Sharpe’s music has been heard in nationally televised broadcasts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has been broadcast over WGBH Radio-Boston, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and National Public Radio’s affiliates. His works have received numerous performances including by the San Diego Symphony, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Kwang Ju City Choir in Korea, Charlotte Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and at the Edinburgh International Festival.
The February 5 program also includes Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” with pianist Clara Christian, guest conductor and Drury faculty member Jim Davidson, and the winner of the Charles R. Hall Young Artist Competition, Emery Smashey (horn).
Tickets can be purchased online at www.hammonshall.com or at the door.
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