HER | Texarkana Regional Chorale: Season Schedule

The Texarkana Regional Chorale will hold their first public performance of the season on Sept. 28 at 1894 Gallery in downtown Texarkana. (Submitted photo)
The Texarkana Regional Chorale will hold their first public performance of the season on Sept. 28 at 1894 Gallery in downtown Texarkana. (Submitted photo)

For the Texarkana Regional Chorale, reduction in pandemic restrictions means they can once again perform live. They will do so at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 1894 Gallery in downtown Texarkana, Arkansas. This concert with the choir performing on the art gallery's steps will kick off a 2021-2022 season under the artistic direction of conductor Marc-André Bougie. That opening concert, "Al Fresco," features a repertoire of music by Hagenberg, Hogan, Dilworth, Whitacre and others, including the world premiere of composer Robert Cohen's "The Gift of Dreams to Dream."

For musical accompaniment, drummer George Buckner and bassist Jeff Madlock, two talented local musicians, will back the singers. The concert is free, donations accepted.

"I think with the (COVID-19) vaccine being available and everybody learning to work within the frame of this new world we're in, it is time to get back to business and get back to singing and get back to performing," Bougie said.

Opening with an outdoor concert makes sense. For singers, there's nothing safer than singing outside like this, Bougie said.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Chorale returns to play Bougie's "Requiem" at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Texarkana, Texas.

Featured will be solo baritone Thomas Irwin, solo soprano Candace Taylor and the entire chorale with its orchestra. Again, admission is free, donations accepted.

"I wrote the piece last year and we have the chamber ensemble performance of it because of all sorts of pandemic limitations, but we're going for it now with full choir and full instrumental ensemble," Bougie said. "There will be over 100 performers on stage. This will be epic."

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, the Chorale will host its main fundraiser, "Carnival of Mardi Gras," at the Sacred Heart Parish Center. In addition to a fun-filled lineup of music, food and a silent auction, the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra will add New Orleans good vibes.

Reservations are required for these Mardi Gras festivities, with tickets at $25 per person.

"That's our signature fundraiser," Bougie said. "The choir always sings two or three selections."

After a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City, with Mary Scott Smith accompanying on piano, the Regional Chorale returns to Texarkana for its "SoulFest" performance starting at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, inside the Great Room of the Truman Arnold Student Center at Texarkana College.

The choir and its orchestra will perform music by Hogan, Powell, Rutter, Still and other composers in this concert with free admission and donations accepted.

"SoulFest, that's become a classic for us," Bougie said.

On tap will be interesting selections, including a version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," the conductor said. Another work is from contemporary African-American composer Rosephanye Powell, "To Sit and Dream."

"With that concert we explore all sorts of repertoire," Bougie said.

He's looking forward to being back.

"We are ready. We're itching. Like I said, it's time," Bougie said,

Rehearsals start Aug. 24 with auditions that day and Aug. 17. If interested, email the Texarkana Regional Chorale at [email protected].

(On the net: Facebook.com/texarkanaregionalchorale.)

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