Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, China, Spain, Germany and South Africa: Missouri State University Chorale students tend to graduate with multiple stamps on their passports. Every other year, Chorale members look forward to an international choir tour. For its 2022 international tour, the Chorale headed to South Africa May 21-June 8. The group performed with local choirs in … [Read more...] about Traveling with a choir: Making travel accessible and memorable through music
On Easter weekend 1906, an angry mob of white men lynched three innocent Black men in the Springfield, Missouri, town square. Until recently, only a small plaque marked the site in remembrance of the victims. Now, Missouri poet Robert Bode and composer William Averitt have partnered with Dr. Cameron LaBarr and the Missouri State University Chorale to create an album that … [Read more...] about Chorale shares Springfield’s history in ‘Easter, 1906’
Members of the Missouri State University Chorale spread messages of hope through song. Regularly, they travel to feature their talent on international and national stages. This week, the Chorale traveled to Jefferson City and performed at the Bicentennial Inauguration Ceremony. The ceremony included the swearing in of several state officials, including Gov. Mike Parson, Lt. … [Read more...] about Chorale performed at Missouri Bicentennial Inauguration
Often with music, you don’t have the opportunity to ask the composer about his or her life’s work. But one project was an exception. In 2016, Dr. Cameron LaBarr, director of choral studies at Missouri State University, and Dr. John Wykoff, associate professor of theory and composition at Lee University, traveled to Hawley, Massachusetts. There, they spent a week interviewing … [Read more...] about A team of Bears tells the story of world-renowned composer
Everybody goes through it – that awkward phase known as puberty. Unfortunately, the most dramatic changes become evident when you attempt to be your most melodic. Dr. Cameron LaBarr, director of choral studies at Missouri State University, knows the incredible value music adds to life. He shares about sticking with music even when the voice doesn’t seem able to stick to a … [Read more...] about Changing voices: Keeping kids in choir