Vocal Arts Concert to Feature Songs of Shakespeare 

February 28, 2024 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven’s Vocal Arts Ensemble will present “Songs of Shakespeare” on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall.  

This free concert will feature musical compositions of text from William Shakespeare plays. “Some of the texts were intended to be sung by one of the characters and other pieces are settings of dialogue,” said Dr. Rebecca Geihsler, chair and associate professor of Belhaven’s Music Department.

The ensemble will perform a composition of the song “Sigh No More” from Much Ado About Nothing and “Ophelia's Song” from Hamlet. From the opening lines of Macbeth, the ensemble will perform an arrangement from the witches’ chant, “When Shall we three meet again.”

“This concert is very lively and upbeat, not at all foreboding as the text implies,” added Geihsler. “We have some duets and solos with music by Jean Sibeleus, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Francis Poulenc. Each piece is paired with one of Shakespeare's sonnets that is in some way similar to song. The students will take turns presenting the sonnets before they sing.”

This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m. Watch the livestream on the Belhaven University Music Department page on Facebook. 

This is just one of the many exciting events from Belhaven's School of Arts. Check out Arts Ablaze for plays, dance and music concerts, poetry readings, gallery exhibits and more happening this year.