Courtesy of Bowie State University
Holiday cheer is coming to campus, as the Bowie State University Choir prepares to host the Community Messiah Sing Along at the Fine and Performing Arts Center on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Assistant Director Brandon Felder wants to use the performance as a chance to add a few wrinkles to the traditional winter concert formula, starting by making the performance a community event and inviting local choirs to collaborate and sing alongside the University Choir.
“We have invited the entire community, not only Prince George’s County but (also) Washington, DC and beyond to join and sing with us,” said Felder. “Hopefully, we’re all going to come together and do this in such a wonderful way.”
Felder has invited choirs from Metropolitan Baptist Church, Shiloh Baptist Church, Suitland High School, DuVal High School, and Reid Temple AME, along with a host of other local ensembles as he works to fill the Fine and Performing Arts Center with as many voices as possible.
“It’s been overwhelming and exciting,” said Felder, as he recalled how his recruiting efforts have been received. “We’re going to try to bombard FPAC with one and all.”
In addition to local choirs, Felder extends the invitation to any individuals who wish to sing along with the University Choir, even if they don’t have formal choir training.
“Anyone is open to come to sing,” he said. “We just want you to come. If you are a shower singer (or) a car singer, as long as you can carry a tune come out and join us.”
Felder also switched things up with the musical selection by trading the traditional Christmas carols for Handel’s Messiah, which he noticed doesn’t get a lot of attention from local university choirs.
“In my research, that particular piece of musical work is rarely done in Prince George’s County,” said Felder. “I said wouldn’t it be wonderful if Bowie State became a staple for that in our area.”
The choir has been hard at work learning the four choruses they’ll perform at the concert, but it’s been an exciting challenge that they’ve all embraced. They are excited about showing what they’ve been working on and combining their voices with the community.
“It’s something new, but it keeps you on your toes,” said senior soprano Jamari Blagmon. “It will be really cool to be the first choir to do Messiah. I think it’s a really good way to have an outreach of the performing arts, specifically with classical music.”
Felder is excited for the performance and can’t wait to see who answers the call to join the University Choir and usher in the holidays with song.
“We hope to make this an annual thing,” he said. “We have to create these moments.”
