Baylor's School of Music Presents Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Sold Out Performance

April 17, 2013
Beethoven

Beethoven

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Media contact: Terry Goodrich, (254) 710-3321

WACO, Texas (April 17, 2013) -In 1824, Beethoven completed one of his greatest works: Symphony No. 9 in D minor. Famous for "Ode to Joy" in its final movement, the symphony will be presented in a sold out concert by Baylor's School of Music at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, in Jones Concert Hall of the McCrary Music Building, 110 Baylor Ave.

"One of the supreme masterpieces of the Western tradition," according to Cambridge professor Nicholas Cook, the work will be performed by the Baylor Symphony Orchestra under the conductorship of Stephen Heyde, The Mary Franks Thompson Professor of Orchestral Studies and Baylor's conductor-in-residence. The orchestra will collaborate with several vocal ensembles to present the final movement, including the Baylor A Cappella Choir, Baylor Concert Choir, Central Texas Choral Society and a solo quartet.

The solo quartet is composed of four Baylor alumni vocalists. Soprano Kiri Deonarine is a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, mezzo-soprano Luretta Bybee is the executive director of the New England Conservatory's Opera Studies program, tenor Stephen Carrell is associate pastor of worship and music at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, and bass Matthew Treviño tours as an opera performer across the United States and abroad.

"The School of Music's presentation of the monumental Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven will be a truly special occasion, with orchestra, massed choruses, and four superb vocal soloists who are Baylor alumni," said Richard Veit, the concert and promotion manager for the School of Music at Baylor. "This is a composition of brilliant power and creativity, and any performance of it by such remarkable singers and instrumentalists is not to be missed."

A list of future performances can be found on the School of Music's website by clicking here.

by Brent Salter, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT THE BAYLOR SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Baylor University School of Music provides transformational experiences that prepare students for careers in music. Students thrive in a Christian environment characterized by a nurturing resident faculty, an unwavering pursuit of musical excellence, a global perspective, dedication to service, and devotion to faith. They investigate the rich musical and cultural heritage of the past, develop superior musical skills and knowledge in the present, and explore and create new modes of musical expression for the future. While preparing for future leadership roles, students join with School of Music faculty in enhancing the quality of community life, enriching the larger culture, and making Baylor a place in which heart, mind and soul coalesce.

The School of Music of Baylor University is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools. Degree programs leading to the bachelor of music education degree conform to certification requirements of the Texas Education Agency.