Lufkin Couple to Sing With Lauren Daigle at Carnegie Hall

Two years ago, Beckie Compton and her husband, Bryan, received an invitation "out of nowhere" to perform with a choir at a music festival at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City.

That once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has become a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the couple who call Lufkin's Angelina College their home.

This week, Beckie and Bryan once again will make the trek to the performing arts’ most hallowed ground, as they’ll be joining a backing choir of 275 vocalists performing with two-time Grammy, seven-time Billboard Music Award and four-time American Music Award winner Lauren Daigle in a concert scheduled for Saturday, June 29.

“When we got the invitation, I just told Bryan we needed to make this happen,” Beckie said. “This time will be completely different because Lauren Daigle is so well-known and has had such an outstanding career, especially for someone so young. Her style of music is completely different. It’s very contemporary, and you’ll hear parts of her influences all through her music. There’s a little Cajun in there, a little jazz in there.

“That was intriguing for us because it’s quite a bit different from what we’re accustomed to doing. It’s not your basic gospel choir for sure.”

Beckie, Angelina College’s Chairperson of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, has been with the college for nearly 40 years, teaching music and choir while assembling musicians and vocalists throughout the area for various performances on the AC campus. Bryan, who sings bass, has shared with his wife the stages of both Temple Theater and Hudgins Hall.

“Beckie gets the invitations, and I’ve been told more than once, ‘If she’ll go, you can come with her,’” Bryan said. “She’s big-time. I don’t know if people around Lufkin realize how well-respected she is in the orchestral community both around the nation and when she performs internationally.”

Bryan also noted the level of talent on display for the upcoming performance.

“For me, it’s just so much fun getting to perform with all those professional singers,” Bryan said. “There are so many great voices, and then to do it with someone with the credentials of a Lauren Daigle? I mean, we worship to some of her music during some of our church services. And now to be able to sing along with her is so cool.”

For further information, contact Beckie Compton at bcompton@angelina.edu.