Harding’s music department holds the Concert Lyceum Series every year. A variety of musical groups are invited to Harding to perform for students, faculty and the community. The groups that will be performing this semester are Quink, Baltimore Consort, Navy Sea Chanters and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble.

Quink will be the first group to perform at Harding this semester on Jan. 31. Quink is a Dutch vocal quartet that performs a variety of styles of music ranging from medieval to modern. Senior Melanie said she is excited to see Qunik perform.

Music majors are required to attend the performances but any Harding student can attend and hear music from different parts of the world.

“Since I am a music student, I must attend all of these Lyceums, but it’s always fun to bring friends with me who don’t really know a lot about the arts,” Routt said. “You don’t have to be a music major to enjoy a performance by very talented individuals. Dr. Ganus always picks groups that will bring something new to the table. It’s not one of those boring things you go to with your great-grandma. It’s culturally enriching.”

Harding students are encouraged to attend the Lyceum performances because they open students’ eyes to how people from other places view the world and how they show it through music.

“It’s who we are. It’s part of our cultural surroundings. Everything we do expands our understanding,” Dr. Cliff Ganus said.

Students have the opportunity to gain a new perspective and to hear live performances of music that they typically could not hear anywhere else. Students also have the opportunity to see how others take their passion for something and follow their dreams.

“I enjoy these performances because this is what these people do for a living and it’s amazing,” Routt said. “They know their craft, and they make it look so easy, even when it is absolutely difficult. Watching these people do what they love the most is so encouraging to me, since I hope to someday do that same kind of thing.”