The University Singers concert on April 19th will feature their entire set of music that they performed at Carnegie Hall late last month in New York City to a rousing standing ovation. In addition, there will be a short set of choral pieces before, all with Nebraska roots and ties. In addition to the Carnegie Hall set of works there will be two premières plus music written by a favorite Nebraska composer Kurt Knecht, plus music by former resident Z. Randall Stroope, and student composer Robert Luebbert, who is a member of the choir. The
premières are co-written by the great husband/wife team of Matthew and Shelly Armstrong, both experienced educators residing in Lincoln. The opening of the concert will be John Rutter’s Choral Fanfare, also being performed by this ensemble at the investiture of the University System’s President. Rutter’s music made its debut in the U.S. in Nebraska when Mel Olsen heard his work in the U.K. and brought it to Omaha to perform with his large church program there. The remainder of the concert will include music by Samuel Barber, Gabrieli, Parsons, an American hymn tune, an American spiritual, and a noisy pop version of a Phil Collins piece in the style of Pentatonix.