Arkansas Chamber Singers

The Arkansas Chamber Singers’ board of directors announces this year's $2,000 vocal/choral music scholarship to help encourage and promote music education in the state. The scholarship will go to one Arkansas high school senior through a competitive audition process.

Application deadline is April 1, 2024. Auditions and interviews will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Little Rock’s St. James United Methodist Church. Applications and more information, including eligibility guidelines, are available at https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/vocal-choral-music-scholarship.html or email [email protected].

Performances are filling up! One more chance to hear the Arkansas Chamber Singers perform their Christmas concert at the Old State House Museum.
These concerts are FREE!

Today, as you consider which nonprofits to support, we kindly ask you to make a generous gift to the Arkansas Chamber Singers. Your support helps us bring beautiful music to the artistic patrons here in Arkansas!
www.ar-chambersingers.org/support

Ring in the Holiday Season with the Arkansas Chamber Singers!

One more chance to hear our fall concert, Musical Essence today at 3:00 pm!

Get your tickets at https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/event/fall-concert-musical-essence/

Tonight at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3 pm at St. James United Methodist Church. "Musical Essence" by Arkansas Chamber Singers. Get your tickets now. https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/event/fall-concert-musical-essence/

Featured soloists:

Soprano CANDACE TAYLOR is delighted to join with the Arkansas Chamber Singers in this presentation of Musical Essence. Candace embodies an eclectic style and vocal range throughout various music genres with concentration in both classical and jazz literature, performing as a soloist throughout the U.S. and abroad including Canada, Italy, and Venezuela. She is active as a concert soloist of the many great masterworks of oratorio/sacred music, a recitalist, a jazz performer, and a recording artist.
Candace is a native of Shreveport, LA, and a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University where she studied Occupational Therapy/Cello/Voice. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and practices as an Occupational Therapist / Certified Hand Therapist. She enjoys travel, performing, exercise, and spending time with her daughter Miriam and husband, conductor/composer Marc-André Bougie.

MELANIE HANNA is a regularly featured soloist with the Second Presbyterian Church Adult Choir in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has toured internationally with the choir and performed soloist roles in many choral masterworks, including Mozart’s Requiem and Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem. In October 2015, she debuted with Praeclara in the role of Camellia in Dracula Unearthed. Her operatic experience includes appearances with the UALR Opera Theatre as Edith in Pirates of Penzance and Pamina in The Magic Flute. She is a previous winner of the Virtuoso Award from the Mid-America Music Association. Having studied vocal performance and education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), she currently combines her love of music and children by initiating and leading a music class at the Second Presbyterian Church Preschool.

Final rehearsal for our Musical Essence concert this weekend with guest conductor Marc-Andre Bougie!
Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

Get your tickets at https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/event/fall-concert-musical-essence/

Come and hear the glorious music of the Arkansas Chamber Singers this Friday and Sunday at St. James United Methodist Church. Order your tickets now for a discounted price. https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/event/fall-concert-musical-essence/

Featuring guest conductor, Marc-André Bougie. Praised for his visionary musical leadership, captivating performances, and engaging personality, Marc-André Bougie is rapidly establishing himself as a highly sought-after conductor, composer, & educator in North America and abroad. Among several leadership accomplishments, he is now entering his 20th season as Music Director and Conductor of the Texarkana Regional Chorale, and his 17th year as Associate Professor of Music at Texarkana College. He was also the founding Music Director & Conductor of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, which he directed for twelve seasons.

Marc-André is married to soprano Candace Taylor with whom he collaborates as composer, pianist, & conductor. In 2015 they worked on an album featuring one of their new compositions, Ave Maria.

He conducted the Carnegie Hall premiere of his Requiem in 2022, after which he was given the title of Honorary Composer/Conductor for Mid-America Productions. He was also National Finalist for the 2021 & 2023 American Prize – Choral Composition Division for his Requiem, Mass of St. John Vianney, & Music. Recent original work premieres include Music with poetry by Anne Porter with the TTCDA Choir at TMEA in San Antonio in February 2023, and Mass of Sts. Peter & Paul in June 2023. In March 2024, he will be conducting the New York premiere of his new Magnificat at Carnegie Hall.

In his spare time, Marc-André enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and daughter, Miriam Taylor Bougie.

Only one week away. Get your tickets today! https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/event/fall-concert-musical-essence/

Our fall concert in just TWO Weeks! Get your tickets today!

Fall Concert: Musical Essence – Arkansas Chamber Singers This program of “Musical Essence” speaks to the power of music as philosophy, poetry, and spirituality. From the ancient writings of Plato in Gwyneth Walker’s Let Music Fill to the Air, to Marc-André Bougie’s choral adaptation of the inspiring poem Music by Anne Porter, and musical settings...

Happy Birthday Marc!

3-concert season subscriptions now available. Three outstanding conductors: Marc-André Bougie, Dr. Cliff Ganus and Colin MacKnight. Order yours today and save! https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/performances.html

Music packets are ready! ACS rehearsals start one week from today!
Thank you to our volunteers Layton Reeves and Leann Jones for getting all the music ready.

Stay tuned for the season reveal!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/06/25/singing-with-others-mental-physical-health/

Singing is good for you. Singing with others may be even better. Studies have linked singing in a choir to reducing stress hormones, increasing immune-boosting cytokines and stimulating memory for people with dementia.

This weekend! Get your tickets now and save!
https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/performances-3.html

Last chance to hear the Chamber Singers this season. In just two weeks! "Heavenly Home" on Friday, May 12th and Sunday, May 14th at Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock.

Guest Director: Dr. Joshua Brown

https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/performances-3.html

Sorry to hear of the passing of Herb Rule, a remarkable singer, patron and great supporter of the arts. Requiesce in pace.

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/04/herb-rule-little-rock-lawyer-former-legislator-dies-at-87/

Herb Rule, Little Rock lawyer and former Arkansas legislator, dies at 87 Herbert C. Rule III, longtime lawyer with Little Rock’s Rose Law Firm, a former state legislator and one-time candidate for U.S. Congress, died Monday. He was 87.

Congratulations to Gracie Lee, a senior at Cabot High School
on receiving this year's $2,000 Arkansas Chamber Singers Vocal/Choral Music Scholarship!

Today at 3:00pm is the last chance to hear “Spring is Near” at St. Edwards Catholic Church, under the direction of Dr. Andy Morgan.
Tickets available at the door or www.ar-chambersingers.org

Spring is Near!
Have you ever heard of Green Broom (Cytisus scoparius)?

There was an old man lived out in the wood,
And his trade was a-cutting of broom, green broom,
He had but one son without thought without good
Who lay in his bed till 't was noon, bright noon.

Come hear what happens to this old man’s son tonight at 7:30pm or Sunday at 3:00pm at St. Edward’s Catholic Church.
Tickets available at www.ar-chambersingers.org

Come and experience the glorious music of the Arkansas Chamber Singers in the wonderful acoustics of St. Edward Catholic Church. Details at https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/

Thank you to everyone who attended our sold-out, first annual Renaissance Faire!

This year, we said faire-well to our retired Maestro and friend, John Erwin. It was a beautiful night of food, spirits, vendors, and a one of a kind performance from our talented musicians! Thank you to our sponsors Wildwood Park for the Arts and Rock Town Distillery. Photography credit Wittenburg Photography.

We can't wait to see you next year! For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.ar-chambersingers.org.

We are thrilled to announce our Renaissance Faire fundraising event is officially SOLD-OUT!

Thank you for your excitement and support of the Arkansas Chamber Singers!

We look forward to seeing ticket holders on Thursday at 6:30 PM at Wildwood Park for the Arts for a night of fellowship, food, spirits, vendors and an exclusive performance by our talented musicians. Attire is relaxed cocktail.

Arkansas Chamber Singers has openings for tenors and basses. If interested in auditioning on Tuesday, January 3rd at St. James United Methodist Church please email us at [email protected]. More information at https://www.ar-chambersingers.org/auditions.html

Auditions – Arkansas Chamber Singers Auditions for tenors and basses will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd at St. James United Methodist Church. One prepared selection classical in nature is requested. Audition also includes vocalization, pitch memory, and sight reading. To schedule an audition send us an email. Regular rehearsals are h...

Beethoven’s 250th Birthday: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

From Artistic Director John Erwin
Happy Birthday Ludwig! A titan of Western Music! This is a terrific read and a great listening experience.
The Arkansas Chamber Singers were planning a 250 tribute to Beethoven this fall, including some works by the esteemed composer and a few about him. Alas, we will have to incorporate some into our 21/22 season, soon to be announced.

nytimes.com Explore the music, life and times of the composer who changed culture.