EDMOND—More than 150 friends, family and guests came to Armstrong Auditorium on May 12 to watch as more than 80 students from Imperial Academy, Herbert W. Armstrong College and members of the Philadelphia Church of God headquarters congregation perform at the music department’s fourth honors recital.
The once-a-semester recital features the most accomplished music students. It is typically preceded by two other recitals, but those were cancelled this semester due to coronavirus lockdowns.
The two-and-a-half-hour recital included performances by the Armstrong Youth Orchestra, the Armstrong Youth Chorus and the Armstrong Chamber Choir, as well as 25 performances by music students taking private lessons from 13 instructors.
The recital began with the Armstrong Youth Orchestra, conducted by music department instructor Mark Jenkins, and Imperial Academy senior Leah Hyde performing “Flute Concertino in D Major, Op. 107” by C. Chaminade. The 10-minute piece also included 10 violins, four trumpets, four violas, four percussion pieces, three cellos, three clarinets, two oboes, two horns, two trombones, a bass clarinet and a bass.
The third-grade Introduction to Violin class, instructed by college sophomore Chrissie Dattolo, then played three French folk songs: “Au Claire de la Lune,” “Riding the Waves” and “Cuckoo Clock.” The rest of the hour consisted of 16 pieces, including solos on the piano, violin, trumpet and cello. After intermission, the Armstrong Youth Chorus sang “Ubi
Caritas” by M. Durufle, French-Canadian Folk song “Alouette,” and “The
Star-Spangled Banner.” Following were five vocal solos, two harp solos and two ballet performances. The evening finished with the Armstrong Chamber Choir, conducted by music director Ryan Malone, singing “The Little White Hen” by A. Scandello, the American folk song “Shenandoah,” F. Prinsloo’s arrangement of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 and J. Belmont’s “The Farewell Overture.”
Mr. Malone said that “in spite of the lessened rehearsal time for the ensembles, everything went incredibly smoothly. The performances all seemed especially blessed, which is so inspiring to see.”
The next honors recital takes place at the end of the fall 2020 semester.