Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

11/07/2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - The Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony Orchestra and NSU Choirs will honor the late James A. Ford at a concert to be held Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is $5. Members of the Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony Society and NSU students are admitted free.

The orchestra and choirs will combine to perform Faure's "Requiem." Director of Choral Activities Dr. Burt Allen will conduct. Soloists will be soprano Terrie Sanders, a member of Northwestern's music faculty and baritone Bret Woodall. Organist Corey Candler of Keithville will also be featured.

The orchestra, under the direction of Scott York, will perform "Bacchanale" from "Sampson and Delilah" by Saint-Saens and a movement from Franck's "D-Minor Symphony."

Ford, a Natchitoches businessman for 40 years, performed with the Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony, as a bass soloist in "Messiah" during the orchestra's first season. He was also a soloist on "The Creation," "St. Matthew's Passion, the Seven Last Words of Christ" and Faure's "Requiem." He also conducted the Requiem while serving as director of music at First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches, a position he held from 1959 until 1971.

Ford also had leading roles in NSU Music/Drama Department productions of "Brigadoon," "Sound of Music," "South Pacific," "Fiddler on the Roof" and a concert of music from "Madame Butterfly."

In addition to his performing, Ford played a leadership role in developing the arts in Natchitoches. He was president of the Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony Society in 1972 and was a charter member of the Louisiana Outdoor Drama Association. Ford also supervised the construction of what is now the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site.

He studied voice under Loren D. Davidson at Louisiana State University. Ford graduated from Louisiana State in 1955.

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