An evening of amazing singing by three different UTM choirs, the department of Music hosted its annual Spring choir concert this past Monday evening.

The choirs participating in the concert were the New Pacer Singers, directed by Dr. Fred Spano, assistant professor of Music; the University Singers, directed by Dr. Kevin Lambert, chair of the Music department; and the Gospel Choir, directed by Alvin Summers, pastor of Oakgrove Baptist Church.

The evening opened up with the New Pacer Singers singing Exsultate justi by Lodovica da Viadana, Gate, Gate by Brian Tate and Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells arranged by Andre. J. Thomas. In Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells, the New Pacer Singers did an astounding job with the high female vocals mixing with the deep sounds of the male vocals.

“It was a fun song to sing,” said Shenika Turner, a senior Music Education major from Humboldt. “It’s very energetic.”

The University Singers also sang a few choral selections such as You are the New Day by John David, Come to Me, My Love by Norman Dello Joio and Blow, Blow thou Winter Wind by John Rutter.

In You are the New Day, the University Singers sang with angelic voices without piano accompaniment. It was truly a special thing to hear.

The Gospel Choir took the stage next with three joyous selections: Hosanna by Kirk Franklin, Brighter Day by Kirk Franklin and Lift Jesus by Alvin Summers, the director of the Gospel Choir.

All three selections were very joyful and the choir was very enthusiastic. Members of the audience were also getting into the music by clapping and swaying to the gospel music.

“It was fun to sing Hosanna,” said Mykia Thomas, a graduate from UTM with a degree in Vocal Performance. “I enjoyed it because I was having fun singing about Jesus.”

The New Pacer Singers also sang Afro-Celtic Diddl by Michael Coolen. The piece was very interesting and pleasant to listen to. Each section of the choir was sectioned off to sing a certain part. The Celtic influence could easily be heard by the vocals and the African influence through the percussion instruments the choir members played.

The University Singers also sang a fun, childish piece Skip-a to My Lou arranged by Michael Coolen.

The selection involved the members of the University Singers making animal noises to the familiar children’s song.

“I enjoyed the reaction we got from the audience,” said Jessi Cleaves, a junior Education major from Covington. “We had worked so hard on perfecting the animal noises we used.”