Southwestern Adventist University presented its 31st annual A Night at the Meyerson concert. This event marked the epic conclusion of Southwestern’s annual music festival and was hosted on March 24, 2024, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in downtown Dallas, Texas. The concert was a grand musical celebration in the heart of the Dallas Arts District.  

This year’s gala concert featured The Festival Orchestra performing highlights from Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony & Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor with guest soloist and local DFW musician, Dr. Eldred Marshall on piano. Department Chair, Dr. Devon Howard, was featured on the Lay Family Concert Organ performing Iain Farrington’s arrangement of Every Time I Feel the Spirit from Laying My Burden Down.  

The University Singers, Southwestern’s international touring ensemble, began the second half. Over the past 12 years, they have visited 19 countries and have been featured in dozens of the world’s most prestigious venues, including guest choir at Westminster Abbey in 2022. The Singers performed Eric Whitacre’s Cloudburst & Nyon Nyon by Jake Runestad. Alumni of the University Singers joined The University Singers on stage for a performance of Caldwell & Ivory’s arrangement of Joshua with guest soloist, Esther Sousa on saxophone (Music-PreMed Class of 2022). The Festival Honors Choir performed Dan Forrest’s heartfelt arrangement of Let Me Listen with the 175-member Festival Mass Choir providing the grand finale with music from Louis Vierne, Larry Shackley, Kevin Philip Johnson & Mack Wilberg.   

“This year’s A Night at the Meyerson was an experience that will be etched into the minds and hearts of those that participated for many years to come,” shares Festival Director Jonathan E.L.Wall. “I was so proud of all our music scholars for presenting such a deeply moving and inspiring evening of music! A special thank you for all who attended; we are grateful for your continued support.” 

The evening was made possible by the following sponsorships: The President’s Baton Circle (title sponsor) is the Sensabaugh Family; the Conductor’s Circle is Civitas Senior Living, La Moderna, and Texas Health Huguley Hospital; the Concert Masters are Arkansas-Louisiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and the Texico Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; the Symphony Circle is Cleburne Ford, Todd & Melinda Goodman, the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Pinnacle Bank, and the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; the Overture Club is Chris & Jamie Frain, Kenneth Medlock, and Timothy Whitley.  

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For 130 years, Southwestern Adventist University has offered Christian education. A small comprehensive university, the beautiful campus is in Keene, Texas, about 20 minutes south of Fort Worth. Southwestern Adventist University offers personable professors, numerous programs including business, music, education, nursing, master’s programs, and many ways for students to get involved both on campus and abroad. With a diverse student body that includes international students from dozens of countries and an average student/teacher ratio of 11:1, Southwestern Adventist University offers a uniquely diverse and personal college experience.