Two recent alumni from Missouri State University’s choral studies program in the Department of Music have been accepted into the 2024 World Youth Choir.

Kara Ann McBain (2020) and Carly Wingfield (2019) are two of the three singers from the United States to be accepted. In addition, Wingfield will serve as soprano section leader for the 2024 session.

According to the World Youth Choir website, the choir will tour Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in 2024. They will perform a program with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and a commissioned work by Tan Dun called “Nine – Ode to Compassion.”

“Having an opportunity to make beautiful music and foster profound relationships in this international environment will forever change these singers and those with whom they interact,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies. “Carly and Kara will represent the United States and MSU with the utmost professionalism, artistry and skill.”

Both McBain and Wingfield received private voice training from Dr. Carol Chapman, voice area coordinator and professor of voice.

Carly Wingfield

Wingfield completed her master’s degree in vocal performance in 2019. She moved to Illinois in 2022 and is now at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in her last semester of coursework for her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Vocal Performance and Literature, with a cognate in Vocal Health and Science.

“Dr. LaBarr and the MSU Chorale gave me not only the foundation but also the confidence I needed to put myself out there and audition for the World Youth Choir,” Wingfield said. “It was a thrill and an honor to be selected for the 2019 World Youth Choir, and it is an even greater honor to be entrusted with leading the sopranos as their section leader in 2024.”

Kara Ann McBain

McBain completed her bachelors in vocal performance in 2020. She is now in her second year of a teaching fellowship and DMA in Vocal Performance at the University of North Texas. She also performs as a soloist around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

“My time in Missouri State’s Choral Studies was some of the greatest I’ve had,” McBain said. “I made incredible friendships and was able to grow exponentially as a musician and as a person through the unique and life-changing opportunities we had.”

Other MSU alumni in the World Youth Choir

McBain and Wingfield are not the first MSU students to be accepted into the World Youth Choir. Troy Robertson, Hannah Martin and Jake Luellen were accepted to participate in previous sessions.

“Participating in the World Youth Choir is so special because it gives you an experience that is completely unique,” Martin said. “Because of these [MSU choral] standards instilled within me, I was prepared to be a more professional, respectful and open minded member of World Youth Choir.”

“The World Youth Choir was a life-changing experience,” Luellen said. “In just a short time, I made lifelong meaningful friendships through sharing ideals and working with an exceptional group of young professionals. Without the MSU choirs, I would not have had this experience.”

“We are incredibly proud of our students who have made it into the World Youth Choir, which shares our passion for musical excellence and creating meaningful interactions,” LaBarr added.

About the World Youth Choir

The World Youth Choir is a global non-profit organization that brings 100 singers, ages 17-26, from around the world to perform together. Singers are chosen through a competitive audition process overseen by an international jury. Since its founding in 1989 the choir has had over 1,000 singers from 75 countries and 300 concerts.

News submitted by Cameron LaBarr and edited by the Reynolds College Communications team. Photos provided by Cameron LaBarr.