Season Finale Concert Celebrates 25 years for Oxford Civic Chorus

From Teens to Octogenarians, All Sing in Harmony

Oxford’s very own diverse crowd of students, teachers, professionals, retirees, and many others, came together for a melodious celebration on May 4th and 5th. Their common thread? A shared love for singing. They form the Oxford Civic Chorus, which has been delighting North Mississippi communities with quality choral music since its inception in November 1998.

Chorus Marks its Silver Jubilee with an Inspiring Concert

The Oxford Civic Chorus celebrated its 25th year with a grand concert “Oxford Sings!”. The event took place at the David H. Nutt Auditorium in Oxford on May 4th, and at the All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Tupelo the following day. It was a heartfelt performance under the leadership of Artistic directors Debra Atkinson and Creighton Holder who took reins in 2021. Admission to the event was free, inviting all music lovers from around the area to join the celebrations.

A Celebration of Choral Excellence and Diversity

Some members have been a part of the choir for all of its 25 years, showing a deep-rooted passion for the chorus. The choir, comprising approximately 50 members from diverse backgrounds, requires its participants to love singing and have an ability to match pitch. This concert had a significant meaning for the choir because of the many members who have been a part of the choir’s journey since its inception. Between the beautifully curated melodies and the orchestra, there was indeed something for every attendee at the concert.

First Half of the Programme: An Ode to Singing

The concert program began with six choral octavos based on texts explaining why singing is so important to the choir and to humanity as a whole. It highlighted how singing brings people together and connects them on an emotional level.

Second Half of the Programme: A Premier Performance

The second half of the concert saw the unveiling of a brand-new work by Elaine Hagenberg, “Illuminare”. The Oxford High School choir joined the Oxford Civic Chorus on stage for this performance, creating a magical soundscape with more than a hundred voices accompanied by an orchestra. Thomas Ardrey, who directs the Oxford High School choir and is a former artistic director of Oxford Civic Chorus, expressed the specialness of this concert, marking it as one of the first performances of “Illuminare” in the state of Mississippi.

Future Plans

This was the first time in almost ten years that the Oxford High School Choir and the Oxford Civic Chorus collaborated, a reunion that was met with shared excitement and enthusiasm. There is anticipation among the chorus members about future collaborations with local choirs. Concert attendees were treated to an unforgettable performance that paid homage to the power of music, the bond shared by the choir members, and the promising future of choral music in the region.