December 4th: 'Live at Central' to feature the Coker College Music Program

The Live at Central Christmas program begins with the return of the students and faculty of the Coker College Music Program. The Coker Christmas Festival features the college’s premier choral ensemble, the Coker Singers, as well as the Chamber Singers, Men’s Vocal Ensemble, and members of the music faculty. This is a return command performance, as many of you remember these musicians began our Christmas music season last year. The program will be led by Dr. Will Carswell, Chair of the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance at Coker College and the Music Director and Conductor of the Masterworks Choir in Florence.

For the “Live @ Central” evening, the Program begins at 6:30 on December 4th. There is a dinner at 5:30pm. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Reservation for dinner at 843-662-3218. Central United Methodist Church is located at 265 West Cheves Street in downtown Florence.

April 28th: Coker Choirs to Present Annual Spring Concert

The annual Spring Choral Concert, presented by the Coker music program, will be held at 4 p.m. April 28 at the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center. This concert is free and open to the public.

Performing in the concert will be the College’s premiere ensemble, the Coker Singers, the Chamber Singers, who recently completed a week-long choir tour to New York City, the Gospel Choir and the newly-formed Men’s Ensemble.  

This concert will include pieces such as “Amor de mi Alma” (You Are the Love of My Soul) by Randall Stroope, Handel’s “Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound,” Glenn McClure’s “Kyrie” for steel drum, piano and percussion, “Alleluia” by Paul Basler, “Ubi caritas” (Where charity and love are, God is there) by Ola Gjeilo, “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Ronald Staheli and “Ave Maria” (Hail Mary, full of grace) by Franz Biebl.

“In this one performance we are able to highlight the many talented students who sing in one of our four choral ensembles,” said associate professor William Carswell, director of choral studies and chair of the department of dance, music and theater.  “The choirs have worked diligently during the semester in preparation for this showcase concert.”  

The Coker College Singers, Chamber Singers and the Men’s Ensemble are directed by Carswell, and is assisted by Ronda W. McElveen, staff accompanist at the College.  In addition to teaching, Carswell is an active clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator throughout the South. He holds a doctorate in music from the University of South Carolina and joined the Coker College faculty in 2002. Florence’s Brandon Williams is the director of the Gospel Choir.  

Founded in 1908, the Coker Singers is the premiere choral ensemble of the college. The group has performed throughout the Carolinas as well as in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Birmingham. Other recent engagements include performances at the Lincoln Memorial, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, and at Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

The Coker Chamber Singers were formed in 2005. It is an auditioned choir that studies and performs choral chamber works of all musical periods.

For more information, contact Carswell at wcarswell@coker.edu.

December 2nd: Coker Christmas Festival at West Hartsville Baptist Church

The annual Coker Christmas Festival presented by the Coker Music Program will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. at the West Hartsville Baptist Church.  The concert will feature the Coker Singers, Chamber Singers, music faculty, Concert Band, Men's Ensemble, Gospel Choir, and pianists.  This concert is free and open to the public.  

Coker Singers to Perform New Composition During Fall Concert

The Coker Singers will perform a world premiere of a new work during the annual fall concert of the Coker College Chamber Singers at 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 18th, at First Presbyterian Church in Hartsville. The concert is free and open to the public.

The new piece, entitled “The Lesson,” was written by popular composer Joshua Shank and commissioned by the choir.

“The premier of a new composition is always exciting for an ensemble,” says William Carswell, conductor of the choir and chair of the department of dance, music and theater.  “This particular piece has challenged us musically, but the singers have risen to the occasion, as usual, and are ready to perform it for our audience.”

The Coker Singers and the newly-formed Coker Men’s Chorus will also perform.

The Coker Chamber Singers is one of five ensembles at the college. It was formed in 2004 to offer singers an opportunity to perform more challenging repertoire. This highly select, auditioned ensemble performs chamber works from all musical periods.

For more information about the Coker Chamber Singers, contact Carswell at 843-383-8063or wcarswell@coker.edu.