Men's Chorus from Ohio Northern University to perform at Bethlehem UMC, Saturday, February 24th,7:30 p.m.

The ONU Men’s Chorus from Ohio Northern University will be presenting their second annual spring concert tour from Thursday, February 22 to Sunday, March 4. This Saturday, February 24, they will be performing at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Franklin at 7:30 PM . The 56-voice choir is under the direction of Professor Dennis L. Kratzer, Director of Choral Activities and Associate Director of Opera.

The 2007 spring tour will include church, high school and university concerts in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Associate Conductor for the choir is Josh Voll, junior music education major from Bluffton, OH. Michael Oberhauser, senior music composition major from Maumee, OH and junior music performance major Adam VonAlmen from Lima, OH serve as Assistant Conductors. Accompanists for the choir are freshman engineering major Adam Fahncke from Wapakoneta, OH and music faculty member Mary Jane Eichelberger from Lima, OH.

Included in this year’s music will be Cox’s “Touching Shoulders”, spirituals “Shine On Me by Dilworth” and Thomas’ “Heaven”, Knecht’s “Manly Men”, “Lat All Men Sing” by Christopher, Cox’s “Praise Him” and “The Fear of the Lord”, “Who Are the Brave” and “The Awakening” by Martin, Farnell’s “She Walks in Beauty”, Biebl’s “Ave Maria” and Stroope’s “Dies Irae”. Fun selections include arrangements of “Barbara Ann”, “Goodnight Sweetheart” and “My Girl”. Traditions for the ensemble include Depue’s “Sing dem Herrn”, Grieg’s “Brothers Sing On” and the “ONU Hymn”.

One of their biggest presentations of the school year will be a combined concert with the 125 voice internationally known BGSU Men’s Chorus in ONU’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 11 @ 4:00 p.m.

The ONU Men’s Chorus is one of the newest choral ensembles at the university. Another newly formed choir is the Women’s Chorus that is also performing both on and off campus this year. Professor Kratzer also directs the select touring mixed choir, The University Singers and the highly select vocal jazz ensemble, The Northernaires. Professor Kratzer is in his 30th year at the university and also serves as Director of Music at Market Street Presbyterian Church in Lima, OH as well as Director of the Lima Symphony Chorus. The choir will ask for a free will offering at the churches to help to defray costs of the tour.

Bethlehem UnitedMethodist Churchis located in the Grassland Community on the North endof Williamson County. To reach the church from Nashville go south on HillsboroPike to State Highway 46, turn right, then take your first left on BethlehemLoop. The church will be on your right. From I65 take Old Hickory Blvd West toHillsboro Pike, turn left and follow the same directions. For furtherinformation call Harry Robinson, Director of Music and Arts at Bethlehem615-415-0873.