Concerts Archives - Reynolds College Blog

“Collaboration” reveals hard work and big dreams of Missouri State dance students

April 10, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance wraps up the 2024-25 season with its annual Spring Dance Concert.

Titled “Collaboration,” the concert continues this year’s theme of “Connection.” It will feature a variety of both student and faculty choreographed performances.

This year’s concert is coordinated by Associate Professor of Dance Azaria Hogans.

Evening showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 24-26. Matinee showtime is 2:30 p.m. April 27. All performances will be held in Coger Theatre in Craig Hall.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with an MSU ID.

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Collaborating to connect

Using an interdisciplinary approach, the concert emphasizes connecting dance with different disciplines, Hogans said. “Every work that will be on the stage has some element of interdisciplinary exploration. This ranges from collaborations with animators to costume construction to STEM concepts and processes.”

Hogans is excited about how audiences will experience the performances.

“Even if an audience member does not know a lot about dance, they will be able to appreciate the interdisciplinary connections made in this concert,” she said. “[They] will be able to see concepts, ideas and maybe even themselves represented in the works.”

Brown Bag Concert Series launches second season April 9

March 21, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s “Brown Bag Concert Series” is back for its second season, boasting a diverse lineup of creative performances.

This year’s performances include country, indie-pop, folk and opera. Performers were selected through an application process.

Hosted once again at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA), the event series is free and open to the public. The amphitheater is located immediately north of Craig Hall in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park.

“We are thrilled with the increase in applicants for this special spring campus event,” said Mark Templeton, Executive Director of JGA Marketing and External Relations. “Bring your lunch and have a relaxing time while enjoying some great performances.”

All performances start at noon. Public parking will be available starting at 11 a.m. across Grand Street in Parking Lots 22 and 24.

Call for musicians for second annual “April at the Amphitheatre” concert series

February 24, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The “April at the Amphitheatre” concert series is once again calling for musician applications.

Now in its second year, the series is open to artists from across the Ozarks. Selected artists will receive a $300 honorarium.

During the month of April, artists perform on Wednesdays during the lunch hour for approximately 45 minutes.

Performances will be held at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA) in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park of Missouri State University.

All performances and are free and open to the public.

JGA and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities sponsor the event.

Contact Mark Templeton, Executive Director of JGA Marketing and External Relations, for more information.

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Performance dates

April 9
April 16
April 23
April 30

World-renowned choir to perform at Hammons Hall March 13

February 24, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Tuks Camerata, one of South Africa’s top choirs, will perform with Missouri State University’s Chorale at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts 7:30 p.m. March 13.

High school choirs from Nixa and Republic will also perform. Daniel Gutierrez conducts the Nixa choir, and Chandler Cooper conducts the Republic choir. Gutierrez and Cooper are both MSU graduates.

MSU students, faculty and staff can receive up to two complimentary tickets by presenting their Bearpass ID at the box office. Tickets can also be purchased online.

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Concert reflects range of musical styles

The Tuks Camerata and MSU Chorale will form a combined choir, said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and Director of Choral Studies.

“This concert encapsulates the power that choral music has to bring people together,” LaBarr said. “Our two choirs come from different backgrounds, yet we are united in our love for communal music making.”

They will perform pieces that showcase the wide range of musical styles from the USA and South Africa and will later feature on an album they will record in March, he added.

“Working with the MSU Chorale is a little like being at home. There is so much similar to our approaches and philosophies pertaining to choral music,” said Dr. Michael Barrett-Berg, conductor of Tuks Camerata and Senior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria.

MSU Chorale to present “The Sounding Joy” holiday concert Dec. 8

November 18, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University Chorale will present “The Sounding Joy,” 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church, 601 E. Walnut St., Springfield.

Tickets are $20. Seating is limited.

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An “enchanting concert” for the holidays

The Chorale will perform under the direction of Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and director of choral studies.

LaBarr said this year’s concert showcases several Christmas-related selections from sixteenth-century texts and melodies, arranged to “familiar and beloved” carols.

“With a wide range of composers, arrangers and styles, it is sure to be a heart-warming musical experience,” he said.

The church’s atmosphere adds to the festive nature of the concert, LaBarr added.

“One of the unique aspects of this particular concert is the intimacy of the space at Christ Episcopal Church,” he said.

Event creates lasting memories

Kenny Kabak is Christ Episcopal Church’s Director of Music and Youth Ministries. He described last year’s Chorale performance as “one of the most memorable musical events in Christ Church’s recent history.”

“A packed audience filled the sanctuary, captivated by the singers’ expressive delivery and stunning musicianship,” Kabak recalled. “The Chorale’s inspired performance left a lasting impression, reminding us of the power of music to unite and uplift.”

“We are thrilled to be an integral part of the arts in the community, and this has quickly become an absolute highlight of the year,” LaBarr said.