Anyone who’s had the pleasure of hearing the TLU Treble Choir sing “Silver Rain” knows how beautifully they perform it, and how deeply moving the piece is—the work of composer B.E. Boykin, who set the words of Langston Hughes’s poem, “In Time of Silver Rain,” to music. So it comes as no surprise that a video of the choir singing “Silver Rain” was selected to be featured at this summer's Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) convention for its 70th anniversary.
“It’s humbling to know that the work of the TLU Treble Choir was valued by the TCDA selection committee, made up of leading choral directors throughout Texas,” said Dr. Douglas Boyer, director of the TLU School of Music and director of Choral Activities. “What a gift to share the work of TLU students and faculty with the choral directors of Texas!”
Boyer says 2025 marks the fourth year TCDA has shared select video performances during the annual convention. “I am so proud of the work of the TLU Treble Choir this past year. As a community of artists working together and representing numerous disciplines campus wide, they mastered some very challenging choral music—including the world premiere of “What Child Is This?” by William Averitt. Their talent, dedication, and commitment to the choral arts in every rehearsal was extraordinary—but it was their ability to completely open their hearts and support one another every step of the way that made them exceptional. What a gift to be a witness to such artistry every week.”
-Click here to hear the choir sing “Silver Rain”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzCD5QGKHT0
'Silver Rain' music by B. E. Boykin, text by Langston Hughes (1901–67).
© Oxford University Press 2023. Text © 1994 The Estate of Langston Hughes, by permission of Harold Ober Associates Incorporated. All rights reserved.
Click here to hear the choir sing “Music of Life”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evVWVK3oNZU
'Music of Life' by B. E. Boykin, words by George Parsons Lathrop (1851-98) © Oxford
University Press 2022. All rights reserved.
-Click here to hear the choir sing “What Child Is This?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcvPM4D1uJQ