Missouri State University’s Chorale will perform a festive Christmas concert, “Tidings of Joy,” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield, Missouri.

This marks the third year that the Chorale has presented a Christmas concert for the Springfield community, said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music. It is also the first year they have performed a holiday concert at St. Joseph’s. The group performed the past two years at Christ Episcopal as part of that church’s concert series.

Proceeds from this year’s Christmas concert will assist with student travel costs for 2026, LaBarr said.

“This year, the Chorale will travel to Australia and New Zealand, the sixth continent that this group will have traveled to in the last decade,” he noted. “The money raised from these ticket sales will go directly to assisting with student costs for the trip.”

There are 50 student performers in this year’s Chorale.

“The MSU Chorale serves the university as ambassadors for our great institution and for our community,” LaBarr added. “The public affairs mission of MSU is exemplified every time we are together and certainly when we’re on the road, either domestically or abroad.”

Previous concerts sold out quickly, and LaBarr expects a good turnout for this year.

** This concert is sold out, however you may email Destiny Romero to check on additional availability. **

Old favorites and new traditions

LaBarr said audiences will recognize several songs during the concert. These include John Ricketts’ “Sing We Now of Christmas” and traditional carol arrangements by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker, such as “Masters in This Hall” and “I Saw Three Ships.” Additional songs include the twentieth century composition “In Terra Pax” by Gerald Finzi, and the premiere of a new arrangement of “I Wander as I Wander” by John Wykoff.

The concert will introduce some new traditions as well.

“This year we will feature a soprano and baritone soloist on Finzi’s “In Terra Pax,” LaBarr said. Kara McBain and Troy Robertson will perform the solos. They are both Chorale alumni, and McBain is also a guest artist in the music department‘s voice area.

Bringing the magic of Christmas back home

For LaBarr, the Christmas concert represents a homecoming of sorts.

“The Chorale travels and performs all over the world, but there is something so special about getting to perform for our home audience,” he said. “The Christmas concert feels especially magical. We love getting to spend an evening with our friends and family, sharing in the warmth and beauty of the season.”

Mark your calendar