Dr. David DeSeguirant of Southern Arkansas University at Magnolia returns to direct and conduct the El Dorado Chorale for their 2015 production of G.F. Handel’s “Messiah.” Dr. DeSeguirant invites singers from across south Arkansas and northern Louisiana to join the El Dorado Chorale for this concert of one of the most popular oratorios in classical music. The concert will be performed on November 22 at 4pm at the First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado.
“I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who participated in their high school, college, or church choir to join the EDC on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm beginning October 5, at the EHS Choral Room, 2000 Wildcat Drive, in El Dorado,” said DeSeguirant.
“When I was much younger, I fell in love with ‘Messiah’, especially the Christmas portion. I suppose the Mormon Tabernacle Choir recording that was played every Christmas on our Bay Area radio station caused me to associate Handel’s music with all of the trappings of the Christmas season at our home. I recall reading the story from back of the album jacket of how the entire oratorio was composed in the span of two weeks. It wasn’t until I was much older that I became somewhat dismayed to learn many musical elements of ‘Messiah’ were lifted by Handel from his operas. But Handel was a true entrepreneur and marketer of his art, and those present in the audience during performances of ‘Messiah’ may very well have had numerous dèjá vu moments as familiar melodies were presented in a very different context,” said DeSeguirant.
“The El Dorado Chorale features the Christmas portion of ‘Messiah’ again this fall as it has for odd-numbered years since 1990. Yet, it is our desire to present Handel’s masterpiece in such a way that our singers experience it anew, even while familiar sounds usher in the crowning season of the year. We have ample resources to assist those who have never performed ‘Messiah’, and as a staple of choral repertoire, every singer should have a performance on their ‘to do’ list. Of course, we welcome all of our experienced singers back, and I know they will be very happy to have new singers join us for this event. Please consider this my personal invitation to you to join the El Dorado Chorale as we prepare to embrace the Christmas season again in El Dorado,” said DeSeguirant.
Dr. David DeSeguirant is the Director of Choral Activities at SAU in Magnolia, Arkansas, where he conducts the Heritage Singers and the Chamber Singers. The two ensembles have performed with the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
DeSeguirant received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition at Oklahoma Baptist University in 1986 where he studied conducting, then went to the University of Oklahoma, earning a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting (1989) and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting (1994). David has been an active church musician, the Vocal Music Director of Ada Public Schools in Ada, Oklahoma, and Director of Choral Activities at the University of the Ozarks (1996-2005) and Oklahoma Baptist University (2005-2010). David is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Arkansas Choral Directors Association, and the VoiceCare Network.
For more information about how to can become involved with the El Dorado Chorale, contact the SAAC office at 862-5474.