Adam Philley has been named director of the Cane River Singers, a local choir which includes Northwestern State University students and faculty along with Natchitoches area residents. The choir is in its third year.
The Cane River Singers group meets on Monday nights at 7 p.m. and is open to anyone with an interest in singing. Students must register to join. Faculty or community members must only sign up with Philley.
Philley teaches upper-level piano classes at Caddo Magnet High and choir at Captain Shreve High School. He previously taught voice, piano and theory at Centenary College.
“I have been aware and loosely connected to the NSU music community for a few years now. I’ve experienced the talent and level of professionalism from all those involved in the music school over those years,” said Philley. “When this opportunity arose, I immediately wanted to be a part of such a great team. The Cane River Singers are the type of group I am passionate about. I love working with ensembles whose make up is diverse in skills and talent.”
Philley serves as director of music ministries at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Shreveport and music director of the B’nai Zion Congregation. He is founder and conductor of the Prísma Vocal Ensemble, Shreveport’s only semi-professional choral ensemble, serves as secretary of the Board of Directors for the Carrefour Collaborative Music Project and is the resident music director for the Shreveport Little Theatre Academy. His choirs have collaborated with the Shreveport Symphony, the Shreveport Opera, Robinson Film Center and have sung in Carnegie Hall in New York City. He holds a M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a B.M. in Sacred Music from Centenary College.
“I believe that community and collaboration are keys to changing the world and these are foundational principles of choral music,” said Philley. “My goal for the Cane River Singers this semester is to remember how music has united and uplifted us over the centuries. In the most challenging of times, which now might be considered another of those challenging times, music has served as an inspiration for hope. Our goal is to provide hope and joy to those who hear us this semester.”
Philley hopes choir rehearsals will serve as a respite during a busy and stressful time of their life.
“I hope they become better musicians but more importantly I hope they find connection with the music and with each other,” he said. “Connection and collaboration are such vital skills that will take them far.”
