Concert Singers perform at benefit

Julie Finley
Dm News Editor

The University of Mississippi Concert Singers, directed by Jerry Jordan, traveled to Pascagoula this weekend to perform at a benefit hosted by Chancellor Robert Khayat and his wife, Margaret Khayat.

The benefit honored Diane and Richard Scruggs, who have been "extremely supportive" to the university, according to Vice Chancellor for University Relations Gloria Kellum. The event served as a fund raiser for the choir in an effort to raise money for their trip to Europe to compete in the first ever Choral Olympics, over the summer.

The Singers performed for friends and relatives invited by the Scruggs', and people in the coast area who have given to the Concert Singers in the past.

The concert lasted about an hour and half and was held at First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula. Word from the Scruggs about the concert was "spectacular," according to Kellum.

"It was a concert in honor of the Scruggs and to celebrate the gift of the house," Kellum said.

The house was the Longfellow House, a historical house, which the Scruggs' recently purchased and renovated before giving it to Ole Miss as a gift. The reception following the concert was at the Longfellow House.

The reception was one of the best parts of the weekend, according to Concert Singer Erin Findley.

"The reception in honor of us was so fabulous, and it was such an honor to meet them and to get to witness the house," said Findley, a freshman music education and voice major from Jackson. "The house was on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and it was a black tie affair where everyone mingled."

The Scruggs family had discussed the Concert Singers previously and shown interest in the Ole Miss choral program, Kellum said.

"Mrs. Scruggs had taken interest in Concert Singers and wanted to do something," said Kay McDuffy, public relations director for the Singers. "She believed we were such a fine representation of academics at the university and she wanted to show friends and others her appreciation of their talent."

"To be personally requested by Diane Scruggs is a great honor which comes through the nice reputation that Dr. Jordan has with them," said sophomore member Fowler Black.

The members of the choir considered the whole event a great honor.

"The choir enjoyed going down and performing at events honoring the Scruggs," Jordan said. "It was really wonderful."

"Being in Concert Singers is a musical honor, and it was just overwhelming to be part of something that was such a big deal to the university," Findley said.

"I was blessed and greatly privileged to be able to represent Ole Miss and show my gratitude to those who mean so much to the university," freshman from Memphis Charlotte Ritchie said.

Senior member Amy Hanneman from Dallas feels the honor on the state and university level is long deserved.

"After four years in the choir, we are internationally recognized, it's about time that someone with the university, especially the Scruggs, recognized us for our work," Hanneman said. "I feel validated to be recognized by the university community; I felt rewarded for a job well done."

The Longfellow House will be preserved as historic property by the university and used for receptions and activities on the coast; it will also serve as a meeting place for university officials when they are on the coast, according to Kellum.