Churchill Singers to Conduct Special Fall Performance at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fulton, Mo. ‒ Nov. 1, 2022: Westminster College is pleased to announce the Churchill Singers will conduct a special fall performance at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2022, in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, part of America’s National Churchill Museum. “The Churchill Singers in Concert” is free and open to the public.
The choral ensemble will perform a variety of songs in the beautiful 17th century church that Westminster moved to the College in the 1960s in honor of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, famously delivered on campus in 1946.
Conductor Dr. Natasia Sexton and the Churchill Singers invite members of the Callaway County community to join with the Westminster community and experience the glorious acoustics in St. Mary’s.
“St. Mary’s is beautiful, and the students and I are always appreciative to the Museum for sharing this space for our music,” Sexton says.
Accompanied by Gretchen Huedepohl on piano, the 24-member auditioned ensemble is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds and interests.
Churchill Singers major in academic programs other than music, but all join together during their lunch hour in the basement of Champ Auditorium for their shared love of vocal performance.
The ensemble includes an offensive lineman who will perform a solo, a number of resident advisors, a baseball player who also runs cross country, two softball players, a soccer goalie and a variety of individuals with demanding leadership positions and part-time jobs.
“I do not represent Westminster in any competitive sports, but Churchill Singers feels like a sports team to me,” explains junior Jonathan Banza from Durban, South Africa. “Just like a sport, working together comes with commitment and discipline, but the rewards of camaraderie and enjoyment of playing the sport ― singing, in this case ― outweigh everything.”
In addition to the a cappella pieces chosen for the acoustics of St. Mary’s, the concert will also include the 1975 Joe Cocker pop hit “You Are So Beautiful,” the iconic anthem “What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line and “Lullaby” by the popular American composer Daniel Elder.
Sexton says “Lullaby” is a favorite among singers because of its “shimmering harmonies, arching melodies and an equally beautiful piano accompaniment.”
She adds, “But each piece holds a special place for us, and we’re eager to share this music Sunday night.”
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ABOUT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE: Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College in Fulton is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as the only National Liberal Arts College in Missouri. Westminster is listed as one of the top institutions in the country for economic mobility and return on investment, placing in the top 16 percent for graduate earnings with a more than 90 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College that focuses on educating and inspiring students to become the world leaders of tomorrow. To find out more about Westminster, please visit the College’s website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Backer at 573-220-9038 or Sarah.Backer@WCMO.edu.
