Hickory – Come feel the excitement of a journey not yet taken and spend the afternoon of Sunday, May 19th at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church with the Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir, College Singers, and Brass Ensemble. Experience the anticipation of the choir and instrumentalists just one day before they fly to Dublin to begin their week–long Ireland tour. Dr. Ryan Luhrs, Ph.D., Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music who leads the A Cappella Choir and The College Singers, and Dr. Christopher Nigrelli, Professor of Music who directs the Brass Ensemble share that the concert and the performances in Ireland will feature primarily the diverse music the choir has worked on and performed throughout the 2018-19 academic year, but will also have some a few surprises.

Dr. Luhrs explains, “A piece unique to the Ireland tour will be “Danny Boy” arr. Michael McGlynn. One of the concerts will involve a joint performance with an Irish community choir, the Millicent Singers. It can be a bit intimidating to be an American choir and sing Irish folk music in Ireland. I’m glad we’ll be collaborating with an Irish community choir to sing this song when we’re over there.”

”The choir is singing “Danny Boy” because of collaboration with the Millicent Singers of Cane, Ireland.” Ryan continues, “The director of the Millicent Singers suggested we sing ‘Danny Boy’ together and I, in turn, suggested we sing an Appalachian folk song. So we’ll also sing ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken.’ I’m looking forward to the cultural exchange—not only getting to know each other through singing in the same choir – but also by singing the folk music of each other’s region.”

Another selection specific to the Ireland tour will be performed by ‘The College Singers’—a select 12-member subset of the A Cappella Choir— who will sing an arrangement of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by the Irish band U2.

A love offering will be collected to benefit outreach ministry Addy’s Giving Heart (AGH). AGH is a nonprofit organization that provides gift packages to children in Pediatric care units in hospitals all over North and South Carolina. Addy’s Giving Heart was founded in 2013 in memory of Addison (Addy) Cook. Addy Cook was an eight-year-old girl whose too short life ended February 24th, 2013. Addy suffered a pediatric stroke, at five months old, which triggered subsequent seizures throughout her lifetime. Their hope was to “spread kindness, one gift at a time.” Since 2013, AGH has delivered over 10,000 bags/boxes.

The program begins at 3:00 p.m. and is free and offered to the public. A small reception will follow and more information on Addy’s Giving Heart will be available. Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church is located at 9379 Route 127N in Bethlehem, in front of the Lowes Food shopping center. For directions and further information about Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, please call the church at 828.495.8251; visit our website at www.mtpisgahelca.org or our Facebook page at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, ELCA.
LRU’s A Cappella Choir