Lander University associate professor of music Dr. Chuck Neufeld is headed to Russia, where he will sing in the Grand Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory on Monday, Oct. 19.
Neufeld, a tenor, will perform as both a soloist and member of The Cecilia Ensemble, a 12-member professional choir in which he sings. The choir will take part in the conservatory's XIth International Choral Festival.
The Grand Hall has been the scene of many performances by renowned Russian musicians, including Sergei Rachmaninov and Peter Tchaikovsky, for whom the Moscow State Conservatory is now named.
"I am honored to be part of The Cecilia Ensemble and very excited about singing in Moscow," said Neufeld. "I've been on other European choir tours, but none of those performances was as prestigious as this concert at the Moscow State Conservatory."
He said that The Cecilia Ensemble - named after St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music - will present a program consisting of early English music; early, traditional and contemporary American music; and Russian sacred music.
Neufeld, who conducts University Singers and Old Main Singers at Lander, said, "I'm sure my choirs at Lander will be singing some Russian pieces in the near future."
The Cecilia Ensemble has sung in music conferences, concert series and other invited performances throughout the southeastern United States. It will perform as part of the Festiva concert series at Greenwood's First Presbyterian Church on December 13, at 4 p.m.