The Monroe Symphony Chorus and University of Louisiana Monroe Concert Choir perform together at 7 on Monday, April 5, 2018. The "Souls and Sounds" concert is a collection of American folk tunes featuring around 85 choir performers.
Director of the Monroe Symphony Chorus and ULM Director of Choral Activities Dr. Deborah Chandler is combining the two groups to perform pieces that neither would be capable of alone. "There are 10 pieces, and it takes more voices because the songs are more substantial," Chandler said.
Both the students of the ULM choir and the more experienced singers of the Monroe choir enjoy these joint performances which allow them to perform larger, more complex pieces. The students especially appreciate the opportunity to learn from the Monroe choir members, many of whom have been singing for decades.
Despite the large scale of the performance, Dr. Chandler values the opportunity for her students and choir members to interact. "It's truly community. You know, in a town like this, they've sung together a lot, so they know each other. So this is going to be fun for the community."