Heritage Choir Presents ‘Songs of Joy”

Heritage Choir Presents ‘Songs of Joy“

A Spring Concert on March 3rd with Vocal Scholarship Recipients

Tickets are on sale now for the Spring Concert titled “Songs of Joy” by the Southern Utah Heritage Choir (SUHC) at Crimson Cliffs High School auditorium on Saturday, March 3rd, at 7:30 PM.   The concert will feature recipients of the Choir’s 2nd Annual Vocal Scholarship Competition and its newly appointed Music Director, Dr. Ken Peterson, who has been a Conductor with the Choir since 2014.

“Songs of Joy” will showcase the talents of vocal scholars and sopranos Lauryn Thomas and Bethany Ure, both high school seniors in Washington County, Utah.   Lauryn attends Dixie High School as a student of voice teacher Tennile Coello.   Bethany attends Crimson Cliffs High School and studies under vocal coach Chrissy Rogers.  The two vocalists competed against other seniors from the school district, and both won a $1000 cash scholarship and the opportunity to perform at the Choir’s spring concert.  Lauryn plans to become a high school choir teacher, and Bethany intends to major in vocal performance at Utah Tech University and then teach voice.

“In addition to the excitement and honor of presenting our second year of vocal scholarships,” said SUHC President Geri Rhodes, “we are proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Ken Peterson as the Choir’s new Music Director.  With this assignment, he will direct all musical aspects of performances and long-term planning.”

Dr. Peterson received his Bachelor of Music degree in voice performance from Utah State University, his Master of Music degree in voice performance from Illinois State University, and his Doctor of Arts in voice performance and pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado.  He was the Director of vocal activities at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, where he taught voice-related courses and served as the music director of the musical stage.  Dr. Peterson joined the Heritage Choir in 2014 as a Conductor and was appointed the Principal Conductor in 2018.  As a tenor, Peterson has performed in recitals, concerts, musical theatre, and opera throughout the United States.  He is also a published researcher in the field of vocal pedagogy.

Rhodes added, “Dr. Peterson is a consummate musician.  His enthusiastic conducting technique evidences his love of music and singing.  He is an excellent communicator, befriends each choir member, and adds a touch of humor to every rehearsal.  As an experienced teacher, he requires the finest of each voice.”

Tickets for “Songs of Joy” are $20/person or $50 for a limited number of “family of four packs” and can now be purchased at the Choir’s website, HeritageChoir.org.

Each year the Heritage Choir presents Spring, Fall, Patriotic and Christmas concerts throughout southern Utah, as well as their Fireside concerts at the St. George Tabernacle.  In addition to Conductor Dr. Peterson, “Songs of Joy” will have Karen Kennedy at the organ and Jennifer Redfearn at the piano.

For more information, go to HeritageChoir.org.