By: Matthew Fowler, Staff Writer
The Newman University Music Department will be hosting its fall concert this weekend after welcoming home veterans participating in the Kansas Honor Flight.
The Kansas division of the Honor Flight was formed in 2012 and provides veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C., for the wars that they fought in. On Wednesday, the Newman University Music Department welcomed the 97th Kansas Honor Flight back to Wichita at the Doubletree Hotel near the Wichita Airport with a performance of the choral piece “God Bless America.”
On Sunday, the department will host the 2023 fall concert at 3 p.m. in St. John’s Chapel. Admission to the concert will be free for students with their IDs and will be $5 for attendees who are not students.
The fall concert will put weeks of the music department’s dedicated practice into a lively collection of songs, said Deanne Zogleman, Newman’s director of music.
“The concert is early American styles of music – gospel, ragtime, ’20s Charleston and folk for the most part. It is approximately an hour of toe-tapping, meaningful music that is sure to bring joy to the audience,” she said.
In addition to the early American music, the concert will also include a preview of the upcoming musical, “The Wedding Singer.” The musical, which is based off the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler, will premiere on Nov. 16 and run through Nov. 19.
Despite facing smaller enrollment this year, the music program remains strong and devoted to enhancing student opportunities, Zogleman said.
“It is truly a family and a place where many students have found their ‘place/friendships’ here at Newman,” Zogleman said. “We are small and mighty: We sound like there are double our number of singers because the students work hard and sing out. I have been blessed with so much talent and a choir that has a great work ethic.”
Zogleman encouraged students and members of Newman University to attend the fall concert.
“Please take an hour out of your Sunday to support these talented students,” she said. “You won’t regret it.”
PHOTO: Courtesy photo
