BCF WOMEN'S ENSEMBLE TAKE HISTORIC TOUR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 20, 2010

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The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) in Graceville Women's Ensemble recently departed in the early morning hours for their first ever tour outside of the tri-state area of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

The ladies performed for the high school student body at Morgan Academy in Selma, Ala., a senior adult luncheon at Elkdale Baptist Church in Selma, choral classes at Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg, Miss., worship services at Perdido Bay Baptist Church in Pensacola and Pine Terrace Baptist Church in Milton, Fla., and for choral classes at Niceville High School in Niceville, Fla. The group also spent one day in New Orleans, La.

Directed by BCF Associate Professor of Piano Buford Cox and accompanied by Angela Glover, Associate Professor of Piano, the Women's Ensemble sang music that encompassed a wide spectrum of style and era. It included Renaissance madrigals, 18th century cantatas and Mass movements, contemporary sacred literature, spirituals, sacred and secular folk songs, show tunes and vocal jazz compositions.

Guy Anderson, Minister of Music at Elkdale Baptist Church, commented that the ladies captured the attention of the Morgan Academy students who sometimes get distracted and restless in similar programs. He observed that the students were spellbound throughout the program.

During the choral class performance, the Women's Ensemble sang some of their repertoire and then heard the high school students perform. These interactive sessions allow the high school students to experience the maturity of older voices. The BCF ladies, especially the education majors, had the chance to see life in the classroom and hear some of the challenges and joys of teaching teens. One of the singers commented that this was her favorite part of the tour.

Several of the ladies commented that they really enjoy "getting to know the girls better." Another favorite part of tour was the devotional time which "connected everyone."

The BCF Women's Ensemble is open to any BCF female student by audition. For more information, contact director Buford Cox at 850-263-3261, ext. 432 or becox@baptistcollege.edu.