Northwest choirs concert at the Heindl Center

Photo credit: Julie Bauer

Northwest Mississippi Community College’s choirs are performing their fall concert on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Heindl Center for the Performing Arts.

This is the first concert at Northwest for Alex Belohlavek as Director of Chorale Activities, who is in the final year of his doctoral program in music from University of Southern California.

Preparing for this concert has been a semester long process for students. Belohlavek said that a concert experience is one that is a process of all parts communicating the choir, the conductor, and the audience. He said he hopes that people who attend will and experience what they find meaningful in this performance.

This concert has many sentimental pieces to Belohlavek, including the piece he used for his audition to his master’s program at Southern Mississippi University. The piece is “Not a Sparrow is Forgotten.” Belohlavek said that he feels it’s a song that resonates no matter your background.

“It’s relatable whether you’re religious or not,” Belohlavek said.

He said the song is about finding a place, and how everyone has a place at the end of the day, which is a subject that his Ranger Chorale particularly relates to.

Jasmine Manning of Oxford, a sophomore music education student, shared this sentiment.

“You do it with people who are practically your family,” Manning said. “It’s a place where you’re safe.”

To Manning, music represents safety, but also a lot of universal themes such as love, family, and community.

Business sophomore, Michael Terry of Memphis, said the experience is unique and an honor.

“It’s a joy and a privilege to sing with so many talented musicians while in an amazing environment that is full of joy and fellowship,” Terry said.

Belohlavek said at the end of the day after this performance, he hopes and encourages every student to become an independent musician, which helps them regardless of where they go after Northwest.

This concert has “incredible variety,” according to Belohlavek. He said he’s looking forward to this new chapter for Northwest Choirs.

Tickets will be available for purchase for $5 online or in person at https://www.northwestms.edu/tickets

If you’d like to learn more about Northwest Choirs please visit, https://www.northwestms.edu/programs/academic/fine-arts-department/music