Furman President Elizabeth Davis to guest conduct Singers’ closing concert

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — The Furman University Singers will conclude their spring tour with two concerts Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 at 8 p.m. in Daniel Memorial Chapel on campus.

As part of the presidential inauguration festivities taking place that week, Furman President Elizabeth Davis will lead the Singers in the piece, “Brown Eyes,” during the March 16 performance.

The performances by the 90-voice ensemble are part of Furman’s Sound Quality Concert Series. Tickets, available online and at the door, are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. The events are also part of Furman’s Cultural Life Program, and made possible by the Nelle and Ken Brown Music Fund.

Conducted by Hugh Ferguson Floyd, D.M.A., Music Professor and Director of the Furman Singers, the ensemble continues a tradition of performance nearly 70 years old. The Singers will present new choral music from both the sacred and secular repertoire as well as traditional favorites.

The Singers are accompanied by Furman Music Professor and University Organist Charles Tompkins, D.M.A., and Furman junior and pianist Grace Odell of Pelzer, S.C.

Davis, who will be inaugurated as Furman’s 12th president on Thursday, March 19, will lead the Singers in the piece, “Brown Eyes” in the March 16 performance. Sung at the close of every Furman Singers concert, “Brown Eyes” originated as a favorite folksong Nan Trammell Herring learned while attending Greenville Women's College in the late 1920s. Furman’s DuPre Rhame, director of the Men’s Glee Club, arranged and copyrighted the tune in 1935.

"The Furman Singers have had a wonderful time practicing under Dr. Davis’ direction," Dr. Floyd said. "We are delighted to have her conduct this lovely and important work in the life of the Furman Singers.”