A welcome challenge

Trenton Davis welcomes a good challenge every now and again - even if it means memorizing 127-page requiems.

"I've been able to develop into singing that," Davis said.

The 19-year-old, a humanities sophomore at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, came to the university with no vocal training. In the three semesters he's worked with music lecturer and voice teacher Nyela Basney, he's naturally improved his tenor voice.

Davis takes on a new challenge today and Saturday as he travels to the Edman Memorial Chapel in Wheaton, Ill., to perform Hector Berlioz's "Grande Masse des Morts" as part of two choir performances with a men's and mixed choir from the Chicago area.

Davis said he enjoys music for the outlet it gives people to express themselves.

"You can be expressive with your emotions and your feelings through the arts," he said.

Basney recommended Davis to renowned conductor John Nelson to participate in the performance.

"Trenton is talented, and I think this experience can be life-changing," Basney said.

Basney said Davis spent about 24 hours preparing for the performance on his own, and she worked with him several hours a week on the 10 pieces of music - all of which are to be sung in Latin.

Davis said the opportunity to perform in Illinois and to watch a renowned conductor like Nelson would help him better understand his chosen field of music education.

"That's something I can use to educate students," he said.