Monthly News Archives: November 2016

BROWNWOOD – November 22, 2016 – Howard Payne University students James Abbatiello and Abraham Cooper will present a piano duet recital on Tuesday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m. in the university’s Grace Chapel. The recital is free of charge and open to the public.

Abbatiello is a senior communication major from Kerrville. Cooper is a senior biochemistry major and music performance piano major from Brownwood. Both Abbatiello and Cooper are students from the studio of Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, chair of the Department of Music and tenured professor of music at HPU.

Selections that will be performed are “Sonata for Piano Four Hands in D major, Op. 6” by Ludwig Van Beethoven, “Waltzes, Op. 39” by Johannes Brahms, “Microjazz Piano Duets” by Christopher Norton, “Sonata for Piano Four Hands” by Francis Poulenc and “C.S. Theme and Variations, Op. 6” by Randall Compton.

“Mr. Abbatiello and Mr. Cooper are fine young musicians and have gladly shared their music for special events here at HPU and in the community,” said Dr. Wallace. “This is their last semester as a piano team since Mr. Abbatiello will be graduating and the recital celebrates great music and a great partnership.”

For more information, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at (325) 649-8500.

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Cutline: HPU’s Abraham Cooper, left, and James Abbatiello will present a piano duet recital November 29 in the university’s Grace Chapel.

BROWNWOOD – November 22, 2016 – Howard Payne University senior Abraham Cooper recently performed on piano for residents at Brownwood’s Oak Ridge Manor. Cooper is double-majoring in biochemistry and music performance piano.

“HPU students are blessed to engage with Oak Ridge Manor residents and others in the community through the arts,” said Dr. Richard Fiese, dean of HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts. “The community consistently is very supportive of our student performers and we are thankful for such opportunities to connect with others through beauty and creativity.”

For more information about HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts, call (325) 649-8500.

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Cutline: HPU senior Abraham Cooper recently performed on piano for residents at Brownwood’s Oak Ridge Manor.

BROWNWOOD – November 21, 2016 – Howard Payne University’s School of Music and Fine Arts will present its annual tradition of “A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 2, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Brownwood. The service includes Scripture readings about the prophecies and fulfillment of the coming Christ, in coordination with music that reflects the passages.

HPU faculty and staff members will read the Scriptures and the university’s Heritage Singers will perform the musical selections with Dr. Allen Reed, retired professor of music, accompanying.

The event is based on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, first held on Christmas Eve 1918. The service was first broadcast in 1928 and has broadcast annually, with the exception of 1930. In the United States, the service airs on approximately 300 radio stations.

The Heritage Singers are under the direction of Dr. Christopher Rosborough, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities.

“The service of Lessons and Carols is a poignant reminder of the prophecies and their fulfillment of the coming of Christ,” said Dr. Rosborough. “With the busyness of this time of year as well as the bits of turmoil we see in the world around us, this service provides an opportunity for contemplation as we focus on the tangibility of our Messiah.”

St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at 700 Main Street in Brownwood. For more information about the event, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at (325) 649-8500.

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Photo Cutline: HPU will present its annual service of Nine Lessons and Carols on December 2 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Brownwood.

Howard Payne University’s Symphonic Band and Concert Choir will present a Christmas celebration concert Thursday, December 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the university’s Mims Auditorium. The concert is free of charge and open to the public.

The Christmas spirit will get into full swing as HPU students perform many Christmastime favorites. Program selections include “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, “Christmas Through the Looking Glass” by David Lovrien, “Holiday Overture” by Kenneth Soper, “Carol of the Bells” by Robert Longfield and many more.

There will be a reception following the concert in the band rehearsal hall of HPU’s Davidson Music Complex. Music will be provided at the reception by the HPU Student Jazz Combo.

Everyone is encouraged to bring a canned food item as a donation for admission. All canned goods collected will go to Good Samaritan Ministries of Brown County to aid those who need a helping hand this holiday season. Canned fruit is particularly needed.

The HPU Symphonic Band is under the direction of Corey Ash, associate professor of music and director of bands. The HPU Concert Choir is under the direction of Dr. Christopher Rosborough, assistant professor of music.

“You won’t want to miss this musical holiday experience,” said Ash. “We hope to see you there and pray your holiday season is filled with the joy of family and friends. Most especially, may you know the joy of the greatest holiday gift of all time, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!”

For more information, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500.

BROWNWOOD – November 18, 2016 – The University Singers of Howard Payne University will present a Christmas Concert Monday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Brownwood. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

The program is titled “Heaven and Earth in Little Space” and features the “Oratorio de Noël” by Camille Saint-Saëns as well as other Christmas settings centered on the Nativity. During the concert, audience members will have the opportunity to sing along to Christmas carols with the University Singers accompanied by the Festival Chamber Orchestra, a group of area and collegiate musicians.

Featured singers for the concert are Dr. Celeste Church, associate professor of music and dean of institutional research and effectiveness; Dr. Diana Ellis, HPU’s first lady; Danielle Rosborough, 2008 HPU alumna; Dr. Gregory Church, associate professor of music; and Jeff Woods. Musicians featured with the University Singers will include Katie Ash, junior technology applications-high school major from Brownwood, on harp; Abraham Cooper, senior biochemistry major from Brownwood, on piano; Dean Kiesling, music teacher at Northwest Elementary and organist at First United Methodist Church of Brownwood, on organ; and a string quartet of various area musicians.

The University Singers and Festival Chamber Orchestra are under the direction of Dr. Christopher Rosborough, assistant professor of music.

“The University Singers is a community and collegiate choral opportunity whose mission is to cultivate an ensemble of singers who strive to offer a high level of artistry while advocating for great choral music in Brownwood and the surrounding areas,” said Rosborough. “This concert is presented to bring us into the holiday season, with a beautiful program of repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary.”

For more information, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500.

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