Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 11/3/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   

Editors: Photo accompanies release
SLU CONCERT CHOIR TO PERFORM AT ST. JOSEPH'S ABBY
     HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University Concert Choir will present the
world premiere of "Stabat Mater," a new work by Richard Prior at St. Joseph's Abbey in
Covington on November 15.
     The choir, Southeastern's premier vocal ensemble, will be conducted by Dirk Garner,
director of choral activities and accompanied by orchestra. The free concert is scheduled for 8
p.m.
     Garner said Prior, director of orchestras at Oklahoma State University and a former
member of the Southeastern music faculty, wrote "Stabat Mater" for the Concert Choir. The
approximately 40-minute work combines the original Latin text, which describes the Virgin
Mary at Jesus Christ's crucifixion, with modern accounts of mothers who have lost their
children. 
     "Stabat Mater" will feature Southeastern music faculty Emily Truckenbrod as soprano
soloist. Also on the program are motets by Palestrina and Vittoria and a cantata by J.S. Bach.
     Truckenbrod has appeared as solist in works such as Bach's "Mass in B Minor," "the
Magnificat," Handel's "Messiah" and "Silente Venti" and Orff's "Carmina Burana." She has
master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Iowa, where she served for five years as an
artist of the university's Arts Outreach Program. She formerly held teaching positions at
Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., and Central College in Pella, Iowa. During the summer of
1999, she was one of 12 young voice teachers selected to participate in the National Teachers of
Singing Intern Program in Ellensburg, Wash.
     For additional information about the concert, contact Garner at 504-549-2334.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf00.htm