Students tune into men's chorus

A mens' chorus is tuning in to help expand the music program this semester.  

Dr. Michael Crawford, associate dean of performing arts, said there was enough interest last semester to make the chorus a one-hour credit course, MUEN 2141.8003 for spring.  

Crawford said there are 25 men in the chorus, which is named Richmen. Their ages range from 17 to 70.  

"We have four or five older singers and everything in between," Crawford said. "The class is doing great, and the men are having a great time." 

Crawford was director of the Turtle Creek Chorale from 1983 to 1987, and has been at Richland for six years.  

"I've always loved male voices," Crawford said. "We do a little bit of all different styles - Broadway show tunes, such as ‘Lullaby of Broadway', some barbershop music, some Bach and a traditional men's piece called ‘Viva L'Amour'.

Some of the men are experienced singers."  

Crawford said the chorus is open to all interested singers.  There are no auditions. This fall it will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but it won't be offered in the summer.  

"You don't have to be a music major," he said. 

Crawford said the class is doing great and the men are having a great time.  

Ron Gorham, 70, said he's taking the Richmen class because he just loves to sing. He's also in the adult choir at the First Baptist Church of Carrollton.  

Gorham has three degrees -- two associate degrees are from Richland in administrative management and music. He went to Dallas Baptist University to earn  a bachelor's degree  in Applied Business Administration.

He has also started taking classes for another degree in art, working toward a double associate degree in engineering technology.   

Gorham said what he likes about the class is the variety of music. It's not all heavy baroque or renaissance.  

Gorham said Crawford has an extensive background directing male choruses. 

Mahmud Akel, 19, a vocal performance major, said when he started at Richland last year, he was trying to expand what he did at Poteet High School in Mesquite. He was a big fan of mens' choir, so when Crawford started the choir, he continued from last semester.  

"I've always loved music," Akel said. "A mens' group is so much different than just a normal choir. You have four different parts - bass, baritone, tenor and tenor 2. The basses are the lower voices. Putting these together, the voices harmonize very well, more so than female voices." 

Akel said the men's voices are easier to blend and get a more powerful sound. He has been singing since the fifth grade and is impressed with the Richmen chorus.  

"I would recommend it to any man who was interested in singing and doesn't have much experience in music at all," he said. "Music isn't hard. You don't have to be a professional singer."   Akel said one of his favorite songs in the chorus is  "Sing Me to Heaven" by Daniel Gawthrop because it's not a typical male group song but more mellow with a peaceful tone to it.  

Akel has performed at a jazz festival in Iowa and is working toward an associate of arts degree with a major in music.  

Don Conyers, 59, is taking the chorus just for fun. Both he and his daughter are students at Richland. He said he just wanted to do the "father-daughter thing." 

"I like to find the talents I had years ago. They've been laying dormant for decades," Conyers said. "I sang in choirs, but never in college. I enjoy it a lot." 

Conyers said Crawford is very good at picking a variety of songs - some fast and others slow, and he thinks they are beautiful.  

"He's [Crawford] got the ability to put this rough piece of music into a fine-tuned vocal group," he said. "We really sound good at concerts."    

Conyers took the chorus last semester. Both he and his daughter are in the chamber choir this semester. 

Five choruses are offered through the music department.

Crawford directs the chamber chorus, jazz singers and Richmen.

Boriana Savova, adjunct music professor, teaches the women's chorale and also directs the gospel choir.  

The Spring Concert will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, April 15.

The Richmen will also perform at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12.

Both will be held in the Fannin Performance Hall.

All events are free and open to the public. No reservations are required.  

For more information about the music department and its courses, call Crawford at 972-238-6284.