SMU choirs concert features world premiere by William Neil

WINONA, Minn. — The SMU Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O’Shea, and Women’s Choir, under the direction of Lindsy O’Shea, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located on the Saint Teresa campus.

The performance will include a world premiere performance of Oratoria for choir, soloists, brass, percussion and the church bells of Winona, by William Neil.

The work features the SMU Chamber Singers, percussion and a brass quintet coached by Eric Heukeshoven. Also involved with be Music Technology faculty member Brett Huus, assisting with electronically sampled sounds used in the work.

The evening will also include a special performance of O’Shea’s Due Sonetti di Petrarca and Jake Runestad’s I Will Lift Mine Eyes, as well as works by Pablo Casals and spirituals.

Neil is a 2008 McKnight Visiting Composer. For more information, go to http://duisigh.thecomposerstudio.com.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays or online at www.pagetheatre.org.