Annual Homecoming Concert to feature talented MVNU musicians

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The Mount Vernon Nazarene University Music Department will perform the annual Homecoming Concert on Saturday, Nov. 9, beginning at 1 p.m. in the R.R. Hodges Chapel/Auditorium.  The concert is free and open to the public. 

The concert will feature an array of inspiring and entertaining music by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Una Voce Chamber Choir, Treble Singers Women’s Choir, Jazz Band, Flute Choir, String Ensemble and Collegians Chorale. 

Highlighting the concert will be performances of the MVNU Jazz Band and Una Voce Chamber Choir, formerly known as the Goliards Chamber Choir, with special guests.

The Jazz Band will be joined this year by several of our esteemed past MVNU jazz directors and current adjunct music faculty who will be featured soloists on various selections. Past directors who will performing with the band include Dr. Jeremy Smith, trombone, Mr. Rick Brunetto, drums, Dr. Issac Winland, trumpet and Mr. Andrew Clarkson, guitar. The program will include the famous ballad “I’ll Remember Clifford” by Sammy Nestico, Mark Taylor’s “Love Beams” and “North Shore Morning” by Matt Harris.

The Una Voce Chamber Choir will be joined by alumni to perform three songs that highlight the group’s progression from early music to contemporary. Additionally, the ensemble will premiere a piece by ensemble member Cliff Davis, titled “My Hope is in the Lord.” 

To conclude the concert, the combined choirs and Wind Ensemble will unite with eight alumni to perform a moving arrangement of the hymn “I Then Shall Live,” lyrics by Gloria Gaither set to the beloved Finlandia melody by Jean Sibelius. This powerful arrangement ends with the penetrating words, “The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, and may You feed a hungry world through me,” followed by a thrilling A-MEN. The finale will be directed by Dr. Bob Tocheff (’72).

For more on MVNU Homecoming, visit mvnu.edu/homecoming. For more on the MVNU music department, visit mvnu.edu/music.