The College Singers, a 24-voice choral ensemble that performed a sold-out show at Kalamazoo College in the fall, will perform in Farmington Hills, Mich., and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, bringing a social justice-themed concert to other communities.

The program features music of the great spirituals in addition to a capella songs, spoken word performances and popular pieces from such artists as The Beatles and Queen among others that will appeal to everyone regardless of age or political viewpoint. The program’s sections present ways hope and community were found in ancient cultures despite holocausts, oppression, poverty and despair. The concert also features a call to action for audience members to get involved in their communities.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills and 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at The Federated Church in Chagrin Falls outside Cleveland. Both concerts are supported by a free-will offering to defray the expense of touring.

“The goal is to entertain, educate and inspire an audience,” said Kalamazoo College Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Ludwa, who directs the College Singers. “If we do our job well, there will be moments punctuated by tears, laughter and a sense of deep and shared purpose.”

The College Singers includes music majors and non-music majors, offering a different approach to choral singing. Ludwa calls it “singing with a higher purpose,” a hallmark for which he is well-known in the Midwest.

Kalamazoo College, founded in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1833, is a nationally recognized liberal arts college and the creator of the K-Plan, which emphasizes rigorous scholarship, experiential learning, leadership development, and international and intercultural engagement.

For more information on the concerts, contact Ludwa at cludwa@kzoo.edu or 231-225-8877.