Columbians have a unique opportunity to hear and even to participate in choral music every summer. Music students at the University of South Carolina combine with singers from the Midlands community to present major choral works.

On Sunday, June 28 at 4 pm and on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 pm, the USC Summer I Chorus will present scenes from Mendelssohn's Elijah at the School of Music Recital Hall.

Larry Wyatt and doctoral student Helen Kang will direct the program, which features Rebecca Krynski, soprano; Stacey Holliday, alto; Mark Husey, tenor; and Jacob Will, bass.

According to program notes, Elijah "was wildly successful from its premiere in 1846 in England. Although audiences traditionally did not applaud at

oratorio performances, The

Times described the public's reaction as a 'volley of plaudits, vociferous and deafening!'"

The group is named the Summer I chorus because beginning in July, a second presentation will be prepared by the Summer II chorus.

These programs include music major students at the university and volunteer singers from the local community. The singers come together two evenings a week to rehearse a major choral work that is performed twice at the end of a month.

Many local musicians return year after year to sing in one or both of these choruses.

Summer II chorus will begin rehearsing Haydn's The Seasons Tuesday evening July 7 at 7:30 pm at the School of Music. The concerts will take place Sunday, August 2 at 4 pm and Tuesday, August 4, at 7:30 pm.

Conductors for Summer II are Dr. Lillian Quackenbush and doctoral student Jennifer Adam.

Non- student participants pay a $10 fee, payable at the first rehearsal. It is not necessary to pre- register.

For more information on any of the concerts, call the USC Choral Department at 803-777-5369.