WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 1, 2016 — West Liberty University’s Singers, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Scott Glysson, will travel to Ireland to perform concerts and enjoy a special educational tour this March. The group leaves Pittsburgh on Friday, March 4 and returns on Saturday, March 12.
“This is a great opportunity for our students. To sing in these wonderful places offers a unique educational advantage and outreach. The cathedrals are historical sites known all over the world,” said Glysson, who has led the WLU choral program since fall 2015.
The singers will perform works by American composers at three concerts in some very impressive locations, the ancient Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin; the 1965-era Galway Cathedral and Killarney Cathedral, opened in 1855.
“We’ve also contracted with a chamber ensemble from the Royal Academy of Music that will tour with us. In addition, we are collaborating with a college choir in Galway that will open for us and we’ll also provide a master class for a school in Dublin as a cultural exchange program. All these opportunities, plus the chance to perform as artists across a country that has a proud tradition of choral music, makes this an educational opportunity to remember,” Glysson said.
“We are pleased to continue to offer our music students this kind of chance. As a small public university, we are fortunate to have generous support from alumni and friends in the area. The students too do their fair share of fundraising to make this a reality. We are grateful to everyone, faculty, administration, donors and students, for working together to achieve this goal,” said Dr. Stephen Greiner, WLU president.
Perhaps no donors are as strong advocates of the singers’ tour as long time supporters, Lynne and Ben Exley. This Wheeling couple hosts a fundraiser in their own home every year, plus they usually accompany the group on the musical tours.
“We are grateful to the Exleys for their years of support. It has meant so much to so many music students. We also are very grateful this year to the many community members who are supporting our Great Gala, which will fund this trip and more to come,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jason Koegler.
WLU’s Great Gala fundraiser is April 30 at Oglebay Resort and includes a gourmet dinner, music and socializing with a Kentucky Derby theme.
There are 39 singers in the WLU Singers this year, which includes one full-time faculty member, Dr. Linda Cowan, associate professor of music. Also North Carolina organist Jonathan Emmons will accompany the group on the Ireland tour.
WLU Singers traveling to Ireland include:
- Soprano: Jessica Gulisek, Hannah Guidish, Anna Gross, Lindsay Six, Kimberly Wolfe, Gabby Bennett, Kerstin Bommer, Casey Helmick, Emily Roe, Haley Sessums
- Alto: Amanda Tamplen, Megan Cook, Elizabeth Conley, Emily Fournier, Carrie George, Hayleigh Sutak, Abbey Adams, Amy Marosz, Rachel Krems, Kassidi Reitter, Maria Schmitt, Emily Wade
- Tenor: Brady Dunn, Chad Grubb, Brent Kimball, Caleb Hedrick, Elijah Boyles, John Heiserman, Matthias Naill, Mason West
- Bass: Alex Gordon, Andrew Leaptrot, Evan Williams, Brody Eggert, Justin Cervenak, Jonathan Eichner, Nicholas Miller, Devon Thompson, Jacob Walker
This trip to Ireland continues the tradition begun in 2007 of WLU Singers (formerly known as the Concert Choir) traveling on an international spring tour.
A tour DVD will be available at a later date and will be filmed by one of the music students, Justin Cervenak, according to Glysson.
The Division of Music offers undergraduate degrees in music education, music performance and music technology. Among its many ensembles are University Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and the Hilltopper Marching Band.
For more information, please contact the Department of Music and Theater office at 304-336-8930.