Missouri State University’s Chorale has been featured in Brian Gaukel’s documentary, “Choral Singing in America: Nurturing the Country’s Soul.”

The Chorale will host a screening of the documentary Feb. 5-6, 2026, at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Springfield, Missouri.

Choral music as storytelling

The film follows several stories from choral singers and leaders across the country.

“It’s quite interesting that there has never before been a documentary film about choral music in the United States,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music. “We are honored to have the students in the MSU choral program featured in this film.”

LaBarr first met Gaukel when he was serving on an advisory committee for the film project. Gaukel has since produced several videos from the Chorale’s time abroad. These include the Chorale’s travels to South Korea, South America and, soon to be released, South Africa.

A team of choral conductors and filmmakers led the “Choral Singing in America” project, which explores choral music as storytelling.

As one example, the film highlights how the Missouri State Chorale portrayed the tragic events that occurred in Springfield in 1906. On Easter Sunday of that year, three African American men, Horace. B. Duncan, Fred Coker and William Allen, were lynched in Springfield’s Park Central Square.

“Storytelling is an integral part of choral music, and I believe that those watching this documentary will have a new-found appreciation for this,” LaBarr said.

Get tickets

For ticket and showtime information, call Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at (417) 708-9599.

Photo credits: Brian Gaukel.