Concert Choir

Chris Bell Darren McElroy SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND FINE ARTS Rachel Blankenship Grant Newman Caitlan Coffey Kris Redus Jeff Crane Katie Riley Katie Curry Robin Salazar presents Tabitha Davies Rebekah Sherrod Maddi Daugherty Charles Skipping Brett Ellis Jesse Smith Samantha Fenwick Andrew Stallsworth Julia Hironaga Haleigh Warren Guest Artist Hilary Hogan Denise Wathen Paul Iaquaniello David Watson

Brian Stratton

with

Concert Choir

Chris Bell, piano

February 25, 2010 ~ 7:30 pm First Baptist Church, Brownwood

Program Brian Stratton

Old Time Religion A native of New Orleans, Brian M. Stratton received his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal and instrumental music performance from Loyola Samantha Fenwick, soprano University of New Orleans. Since graduating in 1989, Mr. Stratton has Jesse Smith, baritone enjoyed a highly successful career as a concert artist and music educator. He served on the staff of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit vocal faculty of Delgado Community College, and was a certified evaluator of Gifted and Talented children in the state of Louisiana. In 1988, he was a Charles Skipping, tenor Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions and has Kris Redus, bass performed opera, concert recitals, Broadway reviews and oratorio in the United States and abroad. He has appeared at the White House on four Concert Choir occasions, performing American folk music, Broadway tunes, Christmas music, and Spirituals for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and William Clinton. Somebody's Knockin' at Yo' Door For nearly 22 years, Mr. Stratton was a member and featured soloist with the acclaimed Moses Hogan Chorale and Singers. His concert performances and over a dozen recordings have received wide acclaim Were You There? worldwide. Additionally, Mr. Stratton sang on the CD “Voices” on the Windham Hill label, and with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on their CD “An American Heritage of Spirituals.” Before Mr. Hogan's untimely passing Let Us Break Bread Together in 2003, Mr. Stratton was asked to conduct the last concert appearance of the Moses Hogan Singers at Calvin College in October 2002. Since then, he Brian Stratton has worked to promote the Spiritual arrangements of Mr. Hogan and other renowned composers and arrangers in workshops, seminars, and choral clinics around the world. Mr. Stratton has served as a choral clinician and I Am His Child conductor for choirs in Oregon, Michigan, Georgia, Louisiana, Alaska, Texas, Indiana, and New York. In 2004, Mr. Stratton was one of only two clinicians from the United States at the World Projects-International Ride On, King Jesus Australian Music Festival held in Sydney and Bathurst, Australia. He has David Watson, tenor also conducted vocal workshops in France, Estonia, and Russia. An enthusiastic promoter of music education, Mr. Stratton devotes Concert Choir his time not only to music education, but enthusiastically encourages arts education for children around the nation. Mr. Stratton is a member of Texas Music Educators Association, The International Reed Organ Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc., serving as Province Governor for the State of Louisiana. Presently, Mr. Stratton is Assistant Choral Director at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School, and Organist/ Choirmaster of the Traditional Choir, Holy Family Catholic Church, both in Fort Worth, TX.