The Celebration Singers from Tulsa Oklahoma, USA will be appearing in concert in the UK July 10 – 16, 2012

The Celebration Singers are an adult choir of gifted musicians from First Baptist Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. The Celebration Singers sing each week as part of regular worship services, as well as performing in larger productions throughout the year. The Celebration Singers have hosted esteemed guest conductors throughout their history. John Rutter and Mark Hayes have enjoyed conducting the Celebration Singers in Tulsa. The Celebration Singers were featured during the Baptist Church Music Conference 2012, where they performed various styles of music including the contemporary “Te Deum” by American composer Mark Hayes. During their say in the UK the choir will be singing at The Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Olney; Fuller Baptist Church, Kettering; York Minster Cathedral, York; Tabernacle Baptist Church, Stockton-on-Tees and Edinburgh Castle.

Choir Master Jeff Elkins

Jeff Elkins has been the Choir Master at First Baptist Tulsa for 11 years. Mr. Elkins has served in the music ministry for 19 years. Before serving in local churches Mr. Elkins served as an Instructor of Music at Northeastern State University, where he directed various choral ensembles and taught conducting techniques, as well as voice. Mr. Elkins has been a member of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma, where he has served as soloist, president, and assistant director. Mr. Elkins has had the honor of singing with the Singing Churchmen on tours throughout the US in addition to Russia, the Baltic States, China, Australia, Armenia and Israel. Mr Elkins has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Northeastern State University and a Masters of Music from the University of Arkansas in choral conducting.

Celebration Singers Music Literature

The Celebration Singers will be performing choral works by American composers. Some of these will be American spirituals, and gospel songs, and contemporary anthems. They will sing some accapella psalms. In addition to their sacred literature they will be singing their state song “Oklahoma”!

Concert Repertoire

The Lord’s My Shepherd – Lloyd Larson

Give Me Jesus – Benjamin Harlan

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! – Howard Helvey

Grace – Mark Hayes

I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing – Howard Helvey

I Will Arise – Howard Helvey

Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho – Howard Helvey

The Power of His Blood – Craig Curry

The Majesty and Glory of Your Name – Tom Fettke

Midnight Cry – Tom Fetke

Always Remember – Andre Crouch

Accapella Pslams – Randy Edwards

Oklahoma – Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II