Mosaic usually denotes something made up of different elements. As a theme for the end-of-semester performance by the NWACC Chamber Singers mosaic means: "We can actually do anything!" said Freda Goodman, music faculty and music club coordinator for Northwest Arkansas Community College.
The choir presents "A Mosaic in Music" at 7 p.m. May 2 in conjunction with the Arkansas Federation of Music Club's 100th convention this weekend on the NWACC campus. Held every two years, this year's theme is 'A Mosaic of Music.'
For the headline concert, the 15-member NWACC Chamber Singers will perform Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria;" "Cold and Fugue Season," an arrangement by Arkansas composer Ellen Foncannon Stephenson of J. S. Bach's "Fugue in G Minor;" and Philip Glass' "Knee Play" narrated by NWACC music professor Drew Morris. The program also includes an African tribal song, French repertoire and "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked."
The performance takes place at the Walmart Auditorium inside Shewmaker Center, 1000 S.E. Eagle Way, in Bentonville.
Like many colleges throughout the United States, NWACC is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, which awards scholarships to music majors each year. Goodman said two NWACC students have received those scholarships in the past.
This is Goodman's final year serving at NWACC. She said she plans to retire at the end of the semester.
"I started directing the Chamber Singers right when we came back on campus after covid and we had three students in the Chamber Singers," she said. Last year there were 25, made up of both music majors and music lovers alike. They typically perform at least three times per semester.
This fall the choir was invited to sing for the Rotary Club of Rogers. For the past three years, the choir sang for the Veterans' Day program on the NWACC campus.
"In the fall we're hoping to start a community choir," she said. "Our our dean is very interested in doing that. So that can be students, but people from the community." She said anyone interested in more information should contact Sharon Fox, dean of communication and arts, via email at [emailprotected].
Another local participant in this year's convention is Andante Music Club of Bella Vista, an affiliate of both the National Federation of Music Clubs and Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs.
Although Friday night's concert is free and open to the public, many of the weekend's events are only open to those who preregistered for the convention. Another free event is the junior honors recital at 2 p.m. May 3. The concert will feature youth musicians from all over Northwest Arkansas.
Part of each club's aim within the Federation of Music Clubs is simply to appreciate and celebrate music, explained Cynthia Augspurger, a bassoonist. For members like herself, the club's many public concerts and her own seemingly boundless amount of energy, she finds plenty of opportunities to perform.
"I'm not a solo instrument, although they put up with me at church!" she quipped. Most months, Andante Music Club hosts a free performance at Highland Christian Church in Bella Vista. The themes vary depending on performers but always include singing and performances from club members.
She said some members aren't musicians, but rather great music appreciators who gather just to listen. The club also includes songwriters, composers and performers from many backgrounds that include retired music teachers and professors.
"We have some really special people in our club," she said. "I love it."
Augspurger is a busy performer. She plays with the Highland Winds, a local quartet that features three clarinetists in addition to her on bassoon. They've performed polkas, Christmas songs and an Irish set at various locations. She also meets with Echo, a group that meets every week to prepare for monthly performances at Northwest Arkansas care facilities.
Sometimes she performs during the regular free concerts hosted by Andante Music Club, which feature performances by local music groups including bands and choirs from high schools and colleges, like NWACC. This month the club is honored to host the convention and NFMC President Deborah T. Freeman at NWACC.
"We're very thankful for the generosity of Northwest Arkansas Community College to let us have this," Augspurger said. "We like to go listen to their music department. They've got a really great jazz band and they've got lots of musical events."
At A Glance"A Mosaic In Music"NWACC Chambers Singers will perform Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria;" "Cold and Fugue," an arrangement of J.S. Bach's "Fugue in G Minor" by Arkansas composer Ellen Foncannon Stephenson and Philip Glass' "Knee Play" with narration by NWACC Music Professor Drew Morris. The program will also include an African tribal song, French repertoire and "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked." The performance begins at 7 p.m. May 2 in the Walmart Auditorium Shewmaker Center on the campus of Northwest Arkansas Community College, 1000 S.E. Eagle Way in Bentonville. The performance is free and open to the public as part of the Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs' 100th Convention. Another free performance open to the public as part of the convention is a junior honors recital at 2 p.m. May 3.Learn more about the Andante Music Club, a local affiliate of the Arkansas Federation of Music Clubs, at andantemusicclub.org. Most meeting are at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month (except in January, July and August).
