FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/05/2017
Ashley H Pollock, Public Relations & Information Coordinator Office: (435) 865-8667
College of Performing and Visual Arts Cell: (435) 590-0961
Southern Utah University [email protected]

Breaking Boundaries with SUU Choirs

Written by Ashley H Pollock

Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah: The Department of Music choirs at SUU and
present a Music Masterworks Series concert, Breaking Boundaries, at the Heritage Center
Theatre on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students
and children. Southern Utah University faculty, staff, and students are free with a valid ID card.
Faculty and staff IDs are allowed one guest. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of
the show or online at www.suu.edu/pva.

Dr. Krystal McCoy, Director of Choral Activities at SUU, said, “This season we are breaking the
boundaries of the traditional choral paradigm by infusing our concert with non-Western singing
traditions like implementing a bright, strident tone quality and harmonic overtone singing. We
will sing music representing African and Indian cultures along with favorite Western choral
standards.” 
Students from the various choirs at SUU have found preparing for this concert to be a benefit to
their education and performance experience. It has helped them grow in technique as well as in
group performance.
Macey Naumann, a Music Education major from Pleasant Grove, Utah, said, “I have learned so
much about authenticity and coming together as a group to complete a difficult piece. Preparing
for this concert has taught me that it is possible to be different and to be united in your goal of
breaking boundaries!”
The performing choirs are comprised of both music majors and non-music majors, all of whom
bring exceptional talent and musicianship to the ensemble. These groups are flexible enough to
perform music that is suited for chamber ensembles as well as music that demands
substantially more sound and depth of character.
Brian McDonald, a Political Science student from Salt Lake City, Utah, said, “One
misconception about choral pieces is that they all sound similar. What I really enjoy about our
set for this concert is that there is a wide variety of sounds. Our choir hits all of the strong points;
we've got our classic choral pieces, contemporary songs, as well as music from all over the
world. It really is a representation of culture in the broad spectrum. Our central theme is also
Breaking Boundaries, which has been an important theme throughout history and still is today.
As a political science major, I constantly ponder what it means to break boundaries in our
political landscape. These pieces certainly apply to many different walks of life. In many ways,
that is what makes our concert beautiful.”