News Release

Spring concert to feature the CD Singers

April 20, 2009

Penn State Harrisburg’s Capital College Choir will share the stage with The CD Singers of Central Dauphin High School April 28 when the college hosts its annual spring concert with the theme of “I Hear America Singing.”

The 5:15 p.m. presentation in the Morrison Gallery of the college library is free and open to the public. For information, phone 948-6029.

College choir director O. David Deitz says, “The concert will feature music by American composers, poets, and arrangers who represent a variety of styles and time periods from the ever-changing landscape of American culture.” He adds, “Among the list of musical arrangers to be represented is Penn State Harrisburg faculty member Robert Lau, accompanying the choir in his arrangement of Stephen Foster’s “Gentle Annie.”

The partnership with Central Dauphin High School is the result of local resident Deitz’s 23-year tenure as choir director at that school. The CD Singers continue to be an award-winning choral ensemble under the direction of Charles Masters.

“The college choir is a unique blend of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds of choral singing and variety of academic majors with one thing in common – they all enjoy singing,” says Deitz. “No audition or experience is required to be a member of the choir, which includes a one-credit music class.”

For its portion of the program, the Penn State Harrisburg Choir will perform a varied repertoire that includes both accompanied and a cappella works whose origins span from the singing-school styles of William Billings to the contemporary spirituals, gospel tunes, and jazz styles of American composer George Gershwin. The choir will be accompanied by local pianist Brian Carl.

A reception will follow the concert.