On Tuesday, November 17, in the Moody Concert Hall, something beautiful will happen - And you can be in its presence.

On Tuesday, the University Singers will perform their fall concert featuring pieces by Morten Lauridsen, Antonio Lotti and Felix Mendelssohn. Singers will also share a few spiritual arrangements by Jeffery Ames and Roland Carter.

The University Singers is the premiere choral ensemble here at the Capstone. The conductor of University Singers is Dr. John Ratledge. Ratledge is a world-wide renowned composer, clinician and conductor. He made his European debut in 1996. Since, he has conducted over 250 clinics throughout the United States and has been named to Who's Who Among America's Educators numerous times.

As a composer, his pieces have been published by Alliance Music, Southern Music and Cambiata Press. His newest piece, "I Am", will be premiered at the upcoming concert.

Professor Charles Snead, Director of the School of Music, said"...in just a short time, the University's choral program surpasses anything realized in the past. Ratledge is an accomplished scholar and artist, a consummate professional in his approach to music making. His standards are high, his teaching techniques demanding, and the results he achieves are amazing. Ratledge continues to be active as a conductor and clinician on a national and international level, consistent with his reputation as one of the most well-established choral pedagogues in the discipline today. I look forward to the future with John on the podium."

Every Singers rehearsal is a new experience, each new day dedicated to perfection and beauty. Ratledge is a preacher of process. "You have to love the process," Ratledge says, often.

By process he means the learning process. Practice makes perfect. Ratledge's students learn music in class using many different methods - mainly solfege.

You may recognize the solfege syllables from Roger's and Hammerstein's hit musical, The Sound of Music. (I am of course referring to "Do- re- mi”)

Singers also learn by using "sing-counting." That is, assigning notes to the subdivided beats to which they belong. "I can see your intelligence," says Ratledge.

Ratledge's philosophy is for his students to learn on their own, using their brains and becoming self reliant. Too often are notes played for singers and too often is music learned by rote, or by ear. Ratledge challenges students by using the statement, "You are musicians and this is your language [notated music]. You must be able to write and read the language of your profession!"

Not only does Ratledge require students to use their brains but also their hearts, emotions and souls. He makes the music relate to his students and his students to the music by encouraging students to use their life's experiences as inspiration to relay the message of music. When you have 42 people pouring their heart and soul into something so meaningful - beautiful music is made.

University Singers is gaining recognition beyond the state lines. Singers have stepped into the spotlight on a national level as they were recently invited to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York. The group will follow Ratledge, who is the Artist in Residence for a festival, and will get their own concert at the location.

The University is backing this project very generously and the students are ecstatic. Lawson Daves, a freshman majoring in Vocal Performance states, "I am very excited to be returning to Carnegie Hall. Singers is an escape from the hectic college life where I can purely focus on making beautiful music."

You don't have to wait for the University Singers to travel to Carnegie Hall. The beauty and experience is yours on Tuesday November 17 at 7:30 pm in the Moody Concert Hall. Admission is free.

by Wesley King