Howard Payne University’s Symphonic Band and Concert Choir will each tour select schools and churches in western and central Texas in April. The band will travel Sunday, April 3, through Tuesday, April 5, on its spring concert tour and the choir will travel Friday, April 8, through Monday, April 11.

“We are always excited to be able to take the name of Howard Payne University and our Lord Jesus on tour through the musical talent of our students,” said Corey Ash, associate professor of music and director of bands. “We get to connect with prospective students, friends and HPU alumni, and we are proud to get to represent the university in this way.”

The band will present concerts at First Baptist Church in Brady, Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church in Temple, Llano High School, Burnet High School and Gatesville High School. Musical selections will include works by composers Frank Ticheli, Alfred Reed, James Swearingen and Camp Kirkland, as well as “Jesus Loves Me, It is Well” by Gene Currie.

“Music is the universal language,” said Ash. “It’s a blessing to be able to share it everywhere we go.”

This year’s tour will take the Concert Choir to Ballinger High School, Colonial Baptist Church in Snyder, Second Baptist Church in Lubbock, First Baptist Church in Stanton and Trinity Christian School in Midland. The program for the choir tour, titled “Lord, I Believe…,” will include works by Mary MacDonald, Thomas Tallis, Larry Shackley and Morton Lauridsen as well as spiritual arrangements by Jester Hairston, William L. Dawson and the team of Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. Additionally, the choir will sing a number of compositions by Sir John Rutter including movements from his famous “Requiem.”

According to Dr. Gregory Church, associate professor of music and director and conductor of the Concert Choir, the concert is loosely based on the five sections of the Catholic Mass: “Kyrie,” “Gloria,” “Credo,” “Sanctus” and “Agnus Dei.”

“We are looking forward to the tour very much,” he said. “These types of choir tours accomplish a number of goals such as recruiting for the university and the music department, connecting with alumni and friends around the state and sharing wonderful music.”

On tour with the Concert Choir will be the Heritage Singers, conducted and directed by Dr. Celeste Church, associate professor of music and dean of institutional research and effectiveness.

After the groups return, a final choir tour concert will be presented on Tuesday, April 12, at First Baptist Church in Brownwood. The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.

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