Ohio Wesleyan to Commemorate 150th Anniversary of U.S. Civil War
Members of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Chamber Choir will help to share ‘Civil War Reflections’ in a free performance Dec. 4 in OWU’s Gray Chapel. (Photo by Alex Crump '13)
DELAWARE, OHIO – Ohio Wesleyan University will present “Civil War Reflections,” a multi-media choral presentation conceived and directed by Jason Hiester, assistant professor of music, at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 in Gray Chapel, located inside University Hall, 61 S. Sandusky St.
For the free performance, Hiester combines musical selections performed by members of Ohio Wesleyan’s Choral Art Society, Chamber Choir, Women’s Ensemble and Men’s Ensemble with projected images, dramatic readings, poetry, historic speeches, dance, and heart-wrenching letters written by battle-worn soldiers.
“On this sesquicentennial anniversary of the Civil War, it is important that we reflect,” said Hiester, who teaches voice and conducting, and directs the university’s opera and choral programs. “Only 150 short years ago, our new nation decided to honor freedom and many lost their lives for this cause.”
“Civil War Reflections is divided into four sections:
“Chained to the Land,” the preface to war. “Call to Arms,” the decision to go to war, pitting brother against brother. “Horrors of War,” featuring the dramatic choral piece “Dear Sarah,” with dancers from Columbus Dance Theatre, directed by Tim Veach. “Loss and Healing,” beginning with a reading of the Gettysburg Address and ending with the spiritual, “There is a Balm in Gilead.”
Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier small, private universities, with more than 90 undergraduate majors, sequences, and courses of study, and 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Located in Delaware, Ohio, just minutes north of Ohio’s capital and largest city, Columbus, the university combines a globally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities that translate classroom theory into real-world practice. OWU’s close-knit community of 1,850 students represents 47 states and 57 countries. Ohio Wesleyan was named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction, is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” and is included on the “best colleges” lists of U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Learn more at www.owu.edu.