PC Choir & PC Ringers in Concert

The Presbyterian College Choir has been a continuing part of the artistic and academic life of Presbyterian College for more than eight decades. Singers come from all disciplines of the college and some are participating in choral music for the first time. The PC Choir performs extensively each year, beginning at the college’s official opening convocation and continuing through the Baccalaureate service during commencement ceremonies in May, performing off-campus several times each term and observing an annual spring tour. Repertoire is predominantly sacred and usually includes literature from all major musical eras. Styles included in the repertoire include traditional academic choral repertoire, contemporary anthems for the church, hymn arrangements, spirituals, and non-western material.  Major works are a part of the annual repertoire. Over the past decade, the choir has presented performances of Carmina burana, Duruflé Requiem, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Beethoven 9^th Symphony, Rossini Stabat Mater, Mendelssohn Elijah (with the Lexington (SC) Choral Society), Mozart Requiem, and Verdi Requiem.
 Dr. Porter Stokes served as departmental chair in music and Director of Choral Activities at PC from 1998 to 2017.  In his final year at PC, he continues to serve the department in various roles as the Barksdale Professor of Music.  He holds degrees from The University of South Carolina and the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati where he studied choral conducting with Earl Rivers, John Leman, and Elmer Thomas.  While at the University of South Carolina, he was a student of Dr. Arpad Darazs. Dr. Stokes is a member of several professional organizations and also the conductor of the Augusta (GA) Choral Society, a symphonic choir offering an annual subscription series of four concerts.
 Dr. Ron Davis is the Chair of the Department of Music, Professor of Organ and Sacred Music, and College Organist at PC.  He is also the Director of the PC Ringers (handbells) and Cantare! and accompanies the PC Choir. He holds degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and the University of Kansas (a student of James Higdon) and was previously on the faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University.  Dr. Davis is a member of the AGO and AGEHR and is senior organist at The First Baptist Church of Greenwood, SC.
Presbyterian College is a liberal arts, residential college located in a rural section of the upstate region of South Carolina, USA, only two hours from the Atlantic coast (Charleston, SC) and one hour from the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Residents and students are in close proximity to multiple recreational lakes, parks, and cities. Home to approximately 1000 students and 80 faculty, and 11,000 alumni, the college supported by the Presbyterian Church USA.  Presbyterian College also offers two graduate programs in Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Studies.