DOWAGIAC — Four choirs perform two free public concerts this month, including “Spring Choral Concert” hosted by Southwestern Michigan College at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at the Mendel Center Mainstage in Benton Harbor, SMC voices join a “Choral Showcase” with Lake Michigan College, The Southwest Michigan Symphony Chorus and Chorllennium, the new choir collaborative of area teachers and professional vocalists SMC Director of Choral Activities David Carew debuted last Oct. 14.

Performances include John Rutter’s “Requiem,” conducted by Carew; Mendelssohn’s “Verleih Uns Friden” (Grant Us Thy Peace); Jake Runestad’s “Nyon Nyon”; and Z. Randall Stroope’s “Odysseus and the Sirens.”

“This is our second collaboration with Jim Kraus and this community of singers this year and my second time conducting this special work — the last being in 2006,” Carew said.

SMC students in any major can explore performing through band, choir and theatre or visual arts classes that include ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting and photography.

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter community college founded in 1964. The college delivers above-average graduation/transfer rates compared to other community colleges nationally and student college-level course success that is consistently in the top 25 percent of two-year colleges nationally. SMC strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services that meet the needs of students and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Learn more at swmich.edu or email mediarelations@swmich.edu.