Two choruses from Missouri State University’s Department of Music performed at the southwestern regional conference of the American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) March 4-7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music Dr. Cameron LaBarr directed the Men’s Chorus. Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco directed the Women’s Chorus.

Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne accompanied both ensembles.

Highly competitive performance selection

Missouri State was the only university to have two ensembles selected, according to graduate student Destiny Romero.

The selection process for SWACDA is highly competitive, with only a few ensembles being selected to perform, she said. Romero is completing the graduate certificate in choral studies at Missouri State.

Each chorus performed a variety of music selections this year. The women’s chorus performed Clara Schumann’s, “Lorelei,” Moira Smiley’s “We Are Timeless,” Vatara Silalahi’s “Cumulonimbus,” Ivo Antognini’s “Every Child Has Known God,” “Orde-e,” a traditional Madukayan piece, and “Kuulin äänen,” a traditional Finnish folksong.

Meanwhile, the men’s chorus performed Michael McGlynn’s “Heia Viri, Veljo Tormis’ “Pärismaalase lauluke / An Aboriginal Song, Sofia Söderberg’s “Kyrie,” John Wykoff’s “Travelers,” the traditional spiritual “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” and the traditional isiZulu “Phindu’khulume Nkosi Yam.”

Men’s Chorus commissions new works

LaBarr said the Men’s Chorus commissioned two new works for their performance at SWACDA. Those works were Wykoff’s “Travelers” and “Phindu’khulume Nkosi yam,” arranged by Dr. Michael Barrett.

“A lot of time and energy was spent wrestling with the program and the message we wanted to share,” LaBarr said. “We were fortunate to have Dr. Michael Barrett with us the week before SWACDA and Dr. John Wykoff with us in Albuquerque. [Their presence] brought new meaning and life to both these two pieces in our program.”

The Men’s Chorus performance at this year’s SWACDA was one of the most brilliant since its founding in 2014, LaBarr said. “I was immensely proud of the absolute commitment, honesty and vulnerability that each student in the Men’s Chorus presented on stage.”

Audience lauds Women’s Chorus

Additionally, Plisco said the Women’s Chorus performance was a personal highlight.

“The students were so connected to each other and the music,” she said. “[They] sang so beautifully and with such soul. We even received two standing ovations!”

Audiences typically give standing ovations at the end of a performance, Plisco said. A second one is rare. “We Are Timeless” and “Kuulin äänen” received the ovations.

“We were surprised to receive one after our penultimate piece, one of the more emotional pieces on the program,” she said.

The singers and the audience alike were in tears, Plisco recalled. “The energy in the room was palpable. It was a joy to share with the attendees how special our Missouri State students are.”

Conference combines professional growth with local culture

During the conference, both ensembles spent the majority of their time attending instructional sessions, rehearsing and performing. The conference provides many opportunities for professional growth for both students and the choral program, Romero said.

Despite their hard work, though, both groups carved out time to see a bit of Albuquerque. While the Men’s Chorus hiked the Sandia Mountains, the Women’s Chorus explored the historic Old Town.

Women’s Chorus members

Soprano I

Morgan Brill, Gracie Chambers, Madeline Gehlauf, Hannah Gilbert, Ella Greninger, Kayleigh Hager, Katie Holloway, Julia Kean, Brooklyn Lundeen, Addie Meadows, Alexandra Ritland, Molly Sellers, Kadin Smith, Abigail Stefka, Jillian Wells

Soprano II

Chloe Adams, Talia Araujo, Celeste Barber, Kaylea Binney, Clara Bryant, Makenna Cares, Sarah Cox, Chloe Davidson, Macy Everett, Kendyll Fredde, Thalia Fabian, Hadassah Harris, Holly Henson, Ella Hester, Lillian Jones, Savannah Keen, Audra Magness, Sasha Miller, Emery-Grace Santos, Emily Scott, Kaitlyn Wilson

Alto I

Annaliese Busse, Kaylee Cavener, Jaica Clark, Georgia Gray, Maddie Hart, Haven Henry, Madilyn Irvin, Madyson Lender, Ashlee Martin, Mylee Meredith, Julie Phillips, Adeline Ragsdale, Katie Rattenborg, Stephanie Raylyanu, Destiny Romero, Paige Smith, Paisley Vincent

Alto II

Rowan Allington, Ashley Barton, Jordan Boehme, Madison Bohannon, Mary Brown, Mallory Chapman, Anne Charlotte Copiaco, Catelyn Conover, Reese Cook, Mackenzie Cunningham, Lydia Ham, Bella Jones, Grace Loethen, Carissa Mackin, Allison Meister, Kyra Meyer, Meredith Pickard, Bailey Russell, Sofia Smashey, Reya Vaughan, Danika Yates, Brooke Zimmer

Men’s Chorus members

Tenor I

Jack Brown, Preetish Chakraborty, Brandon Do, Cole Dobbs, Gavynn Gann, Elijah Hertzog, Owen Keene, Tanner Munson, Garrett Nichting, Miles Parker, Paige Piromsuk, Finn Smith, Jay Wears

Tenor II

Clay Booher, Avery Cambron, Gavin Collins, Spencer Dawson, Westley Hayes, Kai Jones, Noah Maddux, Carlos Martinez, Aryan Neece-McHaffie, Michael Schliefert, Cade Shafer, Nathaniel Stephenson, Eto Tagur

Bass I

Matthew Baum, Kaden Chapman, Ryan Ellis, Giovanni Hernandez, Devin LaPorte, Conner Marsh, Logan Masters, Julian Miller, Maxx Pyle, Luke Rockwood, Nolan Scotidis, Collin Scott, Zacarias Woodard

Bass II

Christian Ard, Josiah Bojanowski, Chandler Cooper, Cameron Donnell, Will Elliott, Oscar Gillam, Mason Harris, Adam LeBlanc, Adam Prinkey, Maddux Radosevic, Isaac Smith, Reilly “RJ” Taylor, Joshua Walley, Spencer Wray

 

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Destiny Romero contributed to this story.

Photo credits: Nolan Scotidis.

Reynolds College blog posts are human researched, written and reviewed unless otherwise indicated.