Emerson Eads, SIU School of Music director of choral studies, rehearses with SIU Concert Choir members and Grammy-nominated pianist and producer Keith Javors ahead of Oct. 8 performances. (Photos by Russell Bailey)
October 01, 2026
Area high school choral students to join SIU Concert Choir for Oct. 8 world premiere
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Approximately 130 high school choral students from across Southern Illinois will join the Southern Illinois University Concert Choir Oct. 8 for the world premiere of a new work by Grammy-nominated pianist and producer Keith Javors.
The day includes two free concerts. First, the high school singers perform at 4 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium as part of the SIU High School Choral Festival. Then, at 7 p.m., the SIU Concert Choir presents its fall concert, “A Promised Land,” at Exodus Church, 700 S. Oakland Ave., Carbondale. The high school singers join the choir to close the evening with the premiere of Javors’ “It Takes a Village.”
Javors wrote the piece specifically to bring together the SIU Concert Choir and high school singers from throughout the region. The work was inspired by the outpouring of support and encouragement from his hometown and community after his niece was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
For Javors, “It Takes a Village” is a homage not only to the SIU and Southern Illinois communities but also to the idea that people are better together. “It’s really a piece about inclusion, about unity, about a coming together of souls and spirits,” he said.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover both performances, though organizers request video cameras remain unobtrusive. For more information, contact Emerson Eads, assistant professor and director of choral studies, at emerson.eads@siu.edu, or call the SIU School of Music office at 618-536-8742 the day of the event.
The rest of the evening concert, led by Emerson Eads, director of choral studies, explores 250 years of American vocal and choral music. The program moves from shape-note and Sacred Harp traditions to the choral legacy of Stephen Paulus and the Minnesota school; from Appalachian folk song and hymn traditions to musical theater; and from spirituals and gospel to jazz and the influence of Black American musical traditions.
Eads said the premiere is a fitting end to the program. “After an evening exploring the many traditions and voices that have contributed to American music, singers from across Southern Illinois will come together to create something new. ‘It Takes a Village’ embodies the very idea at the heart of the program—that American music has always been shaped by voices meeting, influencing one another, and finding strength in singing together.”
The 25-student SIU Concert Choir features student sopranos Riley Stephens, Melina Carter and Amber Carter, with SIU faculty pianist Jiyeon Lee.
The invitational festival brings together students from eight area high schools. They will rehearse on campus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. before the afternoon concert.
Participating high schools and their directors include:
- Anna-Jonesboro High School — Ashley Followell
- Carbondale Community High School — Katrina Wood
- Carterville High School — Carlyn Zimmermann
- Frankfort Community High School — Jeremy Followell
- Herrin High School — Jene Simmons
- Murphysboro High School — Jessica White
- Pinckneyville High School — Ellen Filkins
- Sparta High School — Keith Shasteen