Reynolds College Blog

LaBarr family takes the stage at Carnegie Hall

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Missouri State University’s Dr. Cameron LaBarr, director of choral studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor, was invited by the National Concerts organization to conduct a performance at Carnegie Hall April 11, 2026. He collaborated with Dr. Michael Barrett, former director of choral activities at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, to conduct the National Concert Chorus.

Cameron LaBarr conducted several pieces composed by his wife and Missouri State alumna, Susan LaBarr. She currently serves as a National Concert composer-in-residence. Those selections were “Where the Light Begins,” “Grace Before Sleep” and “The Cardinal and the Roller.”

The program also featured Parker Payne, artist-in-residence and collaborative pianist in Missouri State’s Department of Music. He accompanied the performers on piano.

Additionally, 10 Missouri State students sang in the concert, They were Kaden Chapman, Eto Tagur, Gio Hernandez, Anne Copiaco, Destiny Romero, Ashlee Martin, Katie Penkalski, Jonah Hagerty, Cole Dobbs and Nolan Scotidis. Several Missouri State alumni, faculty and staff also attended the performance to show their support.

This was Cameron LaBarr’s first official project with National Concerts. He and Barrett will appear again at Carnegie Hall in April 2027. The program will be similar in format to the 2026 performance. Susan LaBarr will once again serve as composer-in-residence.

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Theatre and Dance closes season with Spring Dance Concert

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The Department of Theatre and Dance announces its last program for the 2025-26 season. “Pillars,” the Spring Dance Concert, will be performed April 23-26 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA).

Show times are 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with a Missouri State ID.

Assistant Professor of Dance Jessica Madden coordinated this year’s production.

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Concert features variety of dance styles

Madden is excited that the “Pillars” concert marks the first time a fully produced dance concert will be performed on the JGA stage.

“This is the first dance concert I am coordinating at Missouri State since joining the faculty this fall,” Madden said.

Thirty-seven students are scheduled to appear in the program. Works by three graduating seniors, Caroline Wolfe, Peyton Nicholson, and Nicole Mayer, will be featured. Guest artist Halle Lawson, a recent graduate of the dance program, has also choreographed a special dance piece.

In addition, Madden collaborated with five of the students to present her new work, “Intrepid.”

Audiences can expect to see variety of dance styles performed, including “contemporary, tap, house, jazz, hip hop, majorette and step,” Madden said.

“It has been a very rewarding experience working with these incredibly talented students,” she said.

Interpreting the public affairs mission

In addition to the season’s “Awakenings” theme, the dance concert’s “Pillars” theme gives students a chance to explore Missouri State’s public affairs mission.

“Each of the choreographers have their own take on how they are engaging with these pillars in their work,” Madden said. “There is a significant emphasis on community in many of the pieces, and a call to ‘awaken’ these principles in how we engage with the world today.”

Study Dance @ Mo State

 

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

 

Arktos Saxophone Quartet reaches final round of NASA Collegiate Quartet Competition

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Missouri State University’s Arktos Quartet advanced to the final round of competition at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) conference March 12-15 in Columbus, Ohio.

Arktos members are seniors Conlan Boatman and Lorelei Brem, sophomore Ryan Hunt and junior Preston Thorpe. All four students are Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education majors in the Department of Music.

By reaching the final rounds, the Arktos Quartet is now among the top student saxophone quartets in North America, said Assistant Professor of Music Matthew Tracy.

“Witnessing their musical and professional maturity has been a highlight of my year,” he said. “They are as exceptional in character as they are in talent.”

Arktos is the Greek word for bear, Tracy explained. The Ursa Major or “Great Bear” constellation is in the northern sky. The word arctic comes from Arktos.

The quartet will celebrate their accomplishments with a recital at 7:30 p.m. April 17 in Hamra Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Mark your calendar

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Dr. Phillip Roberts earns honorable mention in Missouri Composers Project 2026 competition

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Missouri State University’s Dr. Phillip Roberts received an Honorable Mention in the Orchestral-Open Category for his composition, “Hocket Rocket,” in the 2026 Missouri Composers Project (MOCOP) competition.

Roberts is a visiting assistant professor of composition and music theory in the Department of Music.

“Hocket Rocket” conducted by GRAMMY® winner Stefan Freund

Two men standing outside smiling
Dr. Phillip Roberts (left) with conductor Stefan Freund at the MOCOP celebratory concert.

As part of the recognition celebrations, the Columbia Civic Orchestra in Columbia, Missouri, performed all the winning compositions during a concert March 8, 2026.

GRAMMY® winner Stefan Freund conducted “Hocket Rocket.” Freund is the founder and music director of the Columbia Civic Orchestra, according to Roberts. He also teaches music composition at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Describing the concert as a “great success,” Roberts added that he enjoyed meeting the other composers and conductors.

Composition blends old and new music techniques

Roberts’ composition blends the past and the present of music history and techniques, as reflected in its title.

“The title refers to both the Medieval musical technique of hocket, wherein a melody is broken up and bounced around the ensemble, and rocket, since it is brisk and has influences of funk and rock,” Roberts explained.

Audience watching an orchestra perform in a church
Roberts (foreground) watches and listens as the Columbia Civic Orchestra rehearses his composition, “Hocket Rocket.”

About the Missouri Composers Project

The Missouri Composers Project is part of a larger collaboration between the Mizzou New Music Initiative, the Columbia Civic Orchestra, Premiere Vocal Artists and the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation. The competition celebrates Missouri composers by recognizing original orchestral and choral works in two categories: open and high school.

 

Photo credits: Dale Lloyd of Dale Lloyd Photography and Films.

Four acts lined up for annual “Brown Bag” concert series at JGA

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For its third season, Missouri State University’s “Brown Bag Concert Series” continues to enliven April lunchtime with its lineup of talented performers.

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

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

“Bring your lunch, relax and enjoy some great music,” said Mark Templeton, executive director of marketing and external relations for JGA.

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