An era of music will come to a close when Ashford University’s music groups present their final concerts in April and May.

The Ashford University Choir will perform publicly for the last time on Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m. in room C3600 of St. Clare Hall.

The concert will feature a collection of motets and anthems from several eras,  arrangements of American folk songs and spirituals, and a medley of tunes by Duke Ellington that includes “Satin Doll,” “Solitude,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”. The featured work on the program will be the “Missa Festiva,” a setting of the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass by contemporary American composer John Leavitt. The Concert Choir is under the direction of Dr. Rob Engelson.

A week later, the Ashford University Wind Ensemble presents its final concert on Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m., also in room C3600.

Directed by Steve Little, the Ensemble will present “Amparito Roca,” a Spanish march; “A Gershwin Portrait”; Stevie Wonder's “Songs In the Key of Life”; “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod; “English Folk Song Suite” by Ralph Vaughn Williams;  highlights from the Broadway musical “Miss Saigon”; and the “Looney Tunes Overture.”

As a final farewell and as part of Ashford’s graduation weekend celebration, Concert Choir members from Mount St. Clare College, The Franciscan University, and Ashford University will perform in an alumni concert on Sunday, May 8. Between 30 and 40 alumni are currently planning to return to campus for an afternoon rehearsal on Saturday, May 7, followed by a luncheon and the concert at 2 p.m. in Kehl Arena on Sunday, May 8. Any choir alumni who are interested in participating should contact Dr. Rob Engelson at (563) 242-4023 ext. 27223 or by email at Robert.Engelson@ashford.edu.

The public is invited to all three of the free concerts.

About Ashford University

Where heritage meets innovation – that’s Ashford University. At Ashford, students discover relevant degree programs, innovative technology, and cherished tradition. Ashford offers associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs online, allowing students to balance life by providing the flexibility to do school work anywhere, anytime. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu, www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, www.twitter.com/AshfordU, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.513.9240 x11636.