Press Release – The University Singers and Concert Choir of Howard Payne University will present a Christmas Concert Thursday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

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The choirs will perform selections from Handel’s timeless work titled “Messiah.” The Festival Chamber Orchestra, a group of area and collegiate musicians, will accompany the choirs.

Featured soloists for the concert are soprano Dr. Celeste Church, professor of music and dean of institutional research and effectiveness; mezzo-soprano Danielle Rosborough, 2008 HPU alumna; tenor Dr. Gregory Church, professor of music; and baritone Dr. Iwao Asakura, associate professor of music at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

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

“Bringing this specific work to Brown County has been a dream of mine since 2016 when I became the choral director at HPU,” said Dr. Rosborough. “It is a brilliant and festive composition that crosses many cultural and generational gaps.”

Dr. Rosborough also said that it is the goal of this combined choir to cultivate an ensemble of singers within the community and university who strive to offer a high level of artistry, while advocating for great choral music in Brownwood and its surrounding areas.

Coggin Avenue Baptist Church is located at 1815 Coggin Avenue in Brownwood. For more information, contact HPU’s School of Music and Fine Arts at 325-649-8500.