
East Texas Musicians, Vocalists To Perform at Kennedy Center
Over the past few years, we have published stories about Angelina College’s Beckie Compton and her husband Bryan, who have had the privilege of performing at one of the nation’s most revered venues: Carnegie Hall. Last summer, the couple was part of the performers backing Grammy- and Dove Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle.
Shortly after the Daigle concert, Beckie received another request from True North Presents, the organizers of the previous performances. This time, the organization was inviting Beckie and Bryan to a performance at yet another hallowed hall: The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
And this time, the Comptons were asked to bring along some friends.
“The organizer of this upcoming event contacted me and told me they had some openings,” Beckie said. “First he asked about the orchestra, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I definitely know some people.’ The main thing is he wanted to be sure they were high-caliber musicians who were willing to work on the music before we went up there.
“I looked at the music and I knew our friends could do this.”
The Comptons and friends will be a big part of “Saviour: A Modern Oratorio,” which will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the composition and will take place on Monday, Feb. 3. in Washington.
Beckie said the performance will offer two parts: The first will feature guest performers, including Dove Award nominee Travis Cottrell, among others. The group from Lufkin will back Cottrell and the other vocalists.
The second half will consist of the full performance of “Saviour: A Modern Oratorio.”
Beckie, who currently serves as Chair of AC’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, regularly hosts concerts on the Angelina College campus. Musicians and vocalists from all over East Texas perform with her, with nearly all of them having some sort of connection to Angelina College – including current and former employees and students, with most of them members of the East Texas Praise Symphony or the AC Chorale and Friends.
Joining the Comptons (Beckie on piano and Bryan as a vocalist-bass) at the Kennedy Center will be vocalists Billy Forrest (tenor), Cliff Layton (tenor), Keith Elliott (tenor), Dana Forrest (alto), Cheryl Sims (alto), Tammy Oliver (soprano), Shelby Brown (soprano) and Sarah Jackson (soprano).
Instrumentalists include Steven Brown (trumpet), Stephen Sterling (tuba), Evelyn Walker (flute), Lori Letney (flute), Ramona Elliott (flute), Karen Mitchell (clarinet), Connor Ainsworth (timpani) and Martha Johanna (harp.)
Angelina College’s Beckie Compton (front row, far left) poses with her husband Bryan (top row, second from left) and friends during a recent rehearsal. The Comptons and these other musicians and vocalists will perform as part of “Saviour: A Modern Oratorio” on Feb. 3 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
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