Several music groups from Wayland Baptist University will present their spring concerts the week of May 5-12. All are free and open to the public.

The week begins with a 3 p.m. Sunday concert in Harral Auditorium by the International Choir, the university's premiere auditioned choral group. Dr. Scott Herrington directs the choir. The concert will begin with selections from the group's spring tour.

The second half of the concert will feature a performance of "Misa Criolla" by Ariel Ramirez. The religious piece is based on South American folk music, particularly the rhythms and melodies of Argentina. The composition features several songs that play off traditional rhythms while sharing the feelings and emotions of the worship experience, from reverence and penitence through prayerful solitude to the triumph of everlasting life.

Guest performers during the concert will include Dr. Carl Moman, chairman of the Division of Fine Arts at Wayland, Jennie Lynn Hodges, organist and associate professor of music, and Margaret Redcay, flutist.

On Monday, May 6, Wayland Singers will present their concert at 7:30 p.m. in Harral Auditorium. Directed by Robert Black, the group will be presenting a varied program including spirituals, popular songs from the 1960s and some anthems. The group is accompanied on piano by Dr. Gary Belshaw, who also composed one of the pieces to be performed. Sara Harder, a home-schooled sophomore, will be a guest soloist. Julie McCarthick, WBU junior, will be a guest pianist as well.

On Thursday, May 9, the Wayland Handbell Ensemble will be presenting their spring concert in Miller Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Dr. Ann Stutes, the ensemble will be performing a varied program including traditional hymn arrangements, an old-time gospel medley, contemporary Christian choruses, a Japanese folk arrangement, a sixteenth-century Spanish carol, and other original handbell compositions.

Guest student performers for the concert will include Samantha Jones, French horn; Chris Lethgo, narrator; Braxton Edwards, vocalist; Kathy Reed and Candice Harding, belltree soloists; and Jared Hardy, student conductor. The Wayland Singers choir will also be featured on one number.