February 23rd: St. John's Epiphany Concert Series presents the University of South Carolina Chorus

St. John’s Epiphany Concert Series concludes its 2014 season with a performance by the University of South Carolina University Chorus on Sunday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. The concert will be held in the church’s fellowship hall, which is located at the back of the property behind the main church building. There is no charge for the concert, but donations are appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided. St. John’s is located at 252 S. Dargan Street in Florence. Parking is available in the lot behind the church, as well as on Dargan Street.

Under the direction of Dr. Alicia Walker, the 60-voice University Chorus presents innovative and diverse repertoire from classical motets to spirituals and songs from American musical theater. One of seven choral ensembles at USC, the University Chorus represents a broad swath of the university’s population. Students from a variety of disciplines – engineering, business, education, computer science, photography, to name a few – join with music majors to create a large, diverse ensemble.

The group performs on campus, at USC football games, in the community, and around the state of South Carolina. In addition, the ensemble has received invitations to perform at state music conferences and, most recently, at Avery Fisher Hall at New York’s Lincoln Center. The Chorus combines with the USC Concert Choir and instrumental ensembles for major works, including the Verdi “Requiem” in 2012 and the United States premiere of Herbert Howells’ “Sir Patrick Spens” in the spring of 2013. This April, the two choirs will combine to present the Brahms “Requiem.”

In May, the University Chorus will travel to South Africa to be the featured ensemble at a choral festival in Johannesburg. While there, the singers will participate in workshops and service projects.

Dr. Alicia Walker is Associate Director of Choral Studies at USC, where she directs the University Chorus, the USC Men’s and Women's Choruses, teaches undergraduate Conducting and Choral Methods, and supervises student teachers. At the graduate level, she teaches courses in Sacred Music as well as Music Education. She holds degrees from Florida State University, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the University of Georgia. An experienced music educator, Dr. Walker taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Florida and Georgia prior to joining the music education faculty at the University of Georgia.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Walker is a leader in professional music organizations. She is immediate past president of Georgia American Choral Directors’ Association (ACDA). Last year, she was elected president of the Southern Division of ACDA.

During the concert, a special presentation will be made in memory of Miss Betty-Ann Darby, who was a member of the first graduating class of the USC School of Music. Miss Darby, a life-long member of St. John’s Church, also served as a music teacher for Florence District I and, from 1973-1987, as the District’s first Coordinator of Music. She was key to the development and sustainment of music and the arts in Florence County and an avid supporter of USC. Miss Darby died on November 27, 2013.

A downloadable brochure for the Epiphany Concert Series and links to audio clips of the performers are available atwww.stjohnsflorence.org.