The Heidelberg University Concert Choir, the premiere choral ensemble of the university’s School of Music & Theatre, will kick off the 2019-20 performance season with a concert Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 5475 Brand Road, Dublin, Ohio.
Under the direction of Dr. Greg Ramsdell, director of choral activities and associate professor of choral music education, and accompanied by pianist Cynthia Ramsdell, the 51-member vocal choir will present a concert with the theme “Homeward (Un)bound,” completing a three-year, travel-themed cycle.
According to Ramsdell, all of this year’s repertoire consists either of pieces written by American composers or settings of American poetry, with many of the selections featuring compositions and poetry by underrepresented populations.
“The unbound aspect of the theme relates to the recurring concept of freedom that is explored in the lyrics: freedom from oppression, freedom to pursue peace, freedom to forgive, freedom to enjoy leisure, freedom to give and receive love, freedom to cherish memories of loved ones, freedom to make the world a better place,” Ramsdell explained. The texts of the selections – despite being drawn from distinctive and varied perspectives – speak of the universal ideas of faith and fellowship, love and loss.
“Over the course of our program, we sincerely hope that our audience will be moved by the symbiotic relationship between poetry and music, and that the cumulative associations of each piece will evoke ever-developing images regarding the essence of life itself,” Ramsdell said.
Since its inception in 1938, the Concert Choir has achieved the distinction of being one of the premier collegiate choral ensembles in the Midwest. Open to all Heidelberg students, regardless of major, the Concert Choir rehearses three times each week and performs more than 15 concerts each year, including a domestic tour and a performance of Handel's “Messiah” as part of Heidelberg’s Christmas concert at Tiffin’s Ritz Theatre for the Performing Arts. Last May, the choir completed a European tour that was the first time in over a decade that it performed internationally.
Ramsdell is in his ninth year as the Concert Choir’s director. In addition to his conducting responsibilities, he teaches undergraduate courses in conducting and secondary choral methods. He also teaches graduate courses in curriculum development, research in music education, music theory, and choral arranging.
Ramsdell received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education from Bowling Green State University. In 2006, he earned his doctorate in choral conducting performance from the University of Kansas. Prior to joining the Heidelberg faculty, Ramsdell taught junior high general music and oversaw a large junior high and high school choral music program in Greenville, Pa. He also taught at Westminster College in Pennsylvania and at the University of Central Arkansas.
The concert is free and open to the public. A freewill offering will be collected.