ELISE ACKER
Staff Writer
People passing by Stauffer Chapel on Tuesday evening may mistake the sonorous echo of singing for a host of heavenly choirs, as the chapel will play host to the Pepperdine University Choirs’ Fall Choral Concert.
The choirs will offer “a concert that the novice listener will really enjoy,” said Milt Pullen, choir director.
The performance will consist entirely of a cappella singing. During the middle portion of the performance, the choir will sing several familiar church hymns, during which the audience is invited to join in singing.
Along with these group-oriented numbers, the performance will also feature soprano soloist Amber Mercomes singing Hall Johnson’s spiritual “Ain’t Got Time to Die.”
This predominately religious musical program is derived from selections that Jerry Rushford, director of church relations, has compiled for his film about hymnology.
After several years of development, Pepperdine is now producing Rushford’s video with financial backing from Edwin Biggers, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his wife Joan. The video is titled “English Hymns that Shaped Our Faith.”
The Pepperdine University choirs will complete the recording of 40 hymns for Rushford’s project by Oct. 2.
“I definitely enjoy the spirituals most because our choir sings them with a lot of passion,” bass section leader Tim Campbell said.
Campbell has been performing with Pepperdine’s choir since his freshman year, and he said he feels lucky to be able to work with the talented students and professors in the music program.
“When the people you work with are the people that inspire you, it’s the greatest thing,” he said.
In addition to student members, the choir includes two faculty members: Dr. Michael Murrie, director of student journalism and communication professor, singing bass and Dr. Don Thompson, professor of mathematics, singing tenor.
Pullen has worked with the vocal music students for 41 years, 11 of which has been spent at Pepperdine.
He said his favorite piece out of the concert’s selection is “Come Unto Me” by Leonard Burford because the music really bonds well with Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Although he said he likes Smothers Theatre and the chapel equally as performance settings, Pullen said the theme of the concert lends itself well to the chapel’s sacred atmosphere.
“I prefer Stauffer because the ambiance is more mood-setting and the acoustics work well with what we’ll be doing,” Pullen said.
A recent recipient of the Howard A. White Excellence in Teaching Award, Pullen is well-liked among his students.
Campbell described Pullen as a “wonderful man and a wonderful teacher” whose passion for his work is reflected in his choir’s practice and performance.
Pullen said his “love of music, especially choral music, and a love of the challenge of having so many bright and talented students in front of me who expect me to offer them a good musical experience” has maintained his passion for teaching vocal performance.
“If I meet that challenge, they give me something back which is more valuable than what I give to them,” Pullen said. “It’s my life.”
Pullen said he has never grown tired of being in front of his choir.
The long-time choir director said he encourages students who are curious about the upcoming concert to visit Stauffer Chapel for an evening of celebratory music.
“If they show up, they will be glad that they did,” Pullen said.
The Fall Choral Concert will be performed Tuesday in Stauffer Chapel at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is free.
09-29-2005
