By Rachel Crenshaw, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. Frieda Gebert, director of the Campbellsville University Chorale, presented Dr. Michael Carter, president of CU, with the award-winning silver cup which the chorale had earned from its first international competition in Italy over spring break.
“I don’t want to contradict Dr. Gebert, but I believe this cup belongs to each of you,” said Carter as he addressed the chorale after being presented with the cup. “You put forth the effort and we are very proud of you. Thank you for representing Campbellsville University with dignity and respect.”
Dr. Franklin Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, who was also presented with a gift, said, “The institution is very proud of you and the way you represented Campbellsville University. We would also like to thank Dr. Gebert for all of the hard work and effort she has put forth in preparing the chorale for this competition.”
A token of appreciation was also given to Dr. Robert Gaddis, dean of the School of Music. “The chorale was presented with a very valuable opportunity and we were cheering you on all the way. I would like to offer my congratulations,” said Gaddis.
Gebert said the Chorale was awarded with the highest marks in their selected category. “The chorale presented the judges with a very beautiful sound,” she said. “I was very proud of their performance.”
According to Gebert, the Chorale was given several difficult compositions that varied greatly in musical sound and style. Some of the music performed included works by Giacomo Puccini and Leonard Bernstein. Other pieces performed by the chorale for the judges were “Hodie Christus Natus Est,” by G. Peirluigi da Palestrina and “My True Love Hath my Heart,” by John Rutter.
“The chorale worked very hard in order to master these challenging pieces,” said Gebert, “but their hard work paid off. I was very proud of what they have accomplished.”
Phillip Brann, a member of the chorale from Robards, Ky. said, “I would like to thank Dr. Carter and Campbellsville University for their generous support in funding the chorale. The trip to Italy was a very beneficial educational experience, and was the chance of a life time.”
Gebert said the chorale members got to experience first-hand the rich culture of the European country. She said some of their highlights consisted of viewing the “Statue of David,” a sculpted masterpiece by Michelangelo in the Accademia dell’Arte del Disegno and visiting the Museo Bill Puccini, the former home of Puccini.
In the course of the trip, the chorale was invited to sing along with several other choirs from the competition at the Roman Arena found in Verona, Italy.
“I will never forget the experience of singing in the arena,” said MaryGrace Lee, a soprano in the chorale from Liberty, Ky., “It was an overwhelming feeling when we joined in song with choirs from all over the world. It was like a little piece of heaven.”
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.