The Fresno State Concert Choir held their first performance of 2011 with guest conductor and gospel musician Robert Ray on Sunday, Feb. 27.

Concert Choir Director Dr. Anna Hamre said Ray brought an energy that was unparalleled and was the biggest event the choir had ever put on.

“It’s a great opportunity to have someone that has changed the course of choir music,” Hamre said. “This is huge. He’s flown all over the world. We are so jazzed. He has taught us so much.”

Comprised of approximately 65 students, the concert choir has had its fair share of big events. Choir members provided the singers for the Star Wars traveling concert in 2010, traveled to China for the 2008 Olympics and have performed in Vienna.

Members of the choir also felt the event was the biggest ever.

Sophomore vocal major Aaron Burdick said he felt the event was humongous and nothing else compared.

“Robert Ray is amazing and his work is renowned all over the world,” Burdick said. “It’s just really cool because he can bring so much to our Fresno State campus, and he brings a new sound that we don’t normally sing.”

An associate professor for the University of Missouri, Ray said that having the concert during Black History month makes it that much more special.

“The contributions by African Americans in music are incredible and whenever you can highlight that in a community and the American community, it’s really important,” Ray said.

Ray said that although the concert highlights African-American history and music, the event still focuses on the growth of students.

“It’s gives the students another chance to experience another world of music that they may not experience in the classroom,” Ray said. “The opportunity for the students to perform a body of music they may not normally perform is also important for their musical growth.”

Coordinator of the music education program, Dr. Tony Mowrer shared the same view as Ray.

“To perform this style of music is a great opportunity for the students,” Mowrer said. “Normally we’re singing a style of music that is from a European and classical background and to perform a style of music that is not usually done by the choir gives them a whole new educational level.”

Vocal major Constantine Pappas said the concert choir couldn’t be any more excited to perform alongside Ray.

“It’s always a great thing when a composer comes in, especially a composer of the music he brings,” Pappas said.

Pappas also said this experience goes beyond the performance.

“We get to dive into why he wrote the music and the knowledge he has of writing music,” he said. “It gives you that more in-depth feel of music and for him to come direct us is a big honor.”

Pappas said the short time the choir spent with Ray would be felt long after he departs.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and the knowledge we learn will transfer to all the music pieces we sing,” he said.