The Bluffton University Camerata Singers will present its concert, Precious Lord Take My Hand, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church, 2330 South Main St., Findlay. The concert, part of the church's 32nd Concert Series, is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be received.
Camerata Singers was established in 1984 as an outgrowth of a larger mixed choir. The Italian meaning of Camerata is company - a small group that meets for artistic reasons.
As a chamber choir, it performs in a variety of settings: at the University, in area churches, and on tour, maintaining an active schedule of more than 25 annual performances.
The Choir tours domestically each year, and includes a cross-cultural experience of international travel and study every three or four years. Last year the Choir studied and performed in Paraguay. Camerata Singers is open to all Bluffton University students on an audition basis and rehearses four times weekly.
The conductor of Camerata Singers is Dr. Mark J. Suderman, professor of music and director of choral activities at Bluffton University. In addition to conducting Camerata Singers, Accent! (a male choir), and Choral Society (a University/community choir), his teaching duties include conducting, music education, and applied voice.
Prior to coming to Bluffton, Dr. Suderman taught at the collegiate level in California, Kansas, Kentucky and Virginia, and in Nebraska public schools.
His undergraduate degree, from Bethel College, Kansas, is in voice performance and music education. At the University of Iowa, Dr. Suderman received his master's and doctoral degrees in choral conducting. He is currently director of music at First Mennonite Church in Bluffton and has organized and conducted a number of community choirs, including a select Bluffton area group, Concentus.
The group's accompanist, Allison Ringold, earned her bachelor's degree in piano performance from Valparaiso University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and as a Christ College Honors Scholar.
She received a master's degree in piano performance at Bowling Green State University, where she was a graduate assistant in accompanying. Since graduating, she has worked as a freelance accompanist in the greater Toledo area and for the past two summers at Interlochen Arts Camp as a choral and vocal accompanist.
Members of Camerata Singers are: Kristin Beckman, Ottawa; Ally Christner, Goshen, Indiana; Kimberly Rupert, Ottawa; Meghan Sager, Ottawa; Megan Schadle, Cuyahoga Falls; Bethany Babcock, Deshler; Caroline Loudon, Cornell, Illinois; Beth McCullough, Sherwood; Ashley Musgrave, Ada; Stephanie Patterson, Findlay; Brea Quellhorst, Wapakoneta; Aaron Luke, Delphos; Neil Macke, Ottawa; Scott Troyer, Sugarcreek; Joe Wilson, Covington; Tim Yoder, Dalton; Tyler Ferris, McComb; Nathan Campbell, Dunkirk; Lucas Fullenkamp, Botkins; Jonathan Luginbill, Bluffton; Justin McCall, Forest; and Alex Woodring, Sherwood.
The 2011-2012 First Presbyterian Church Concert Series will conclude with a performance by The Cakewalkin' Jass Band on Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m. in the Church's Great Room.
For additional information regarding the First Presbyterian Church Concert Series, contact the church at [email protected].
