Reynolds College Blog

Music alumnus Jared Swope appointed to full-time roster with Trinity Choir

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Missouri State University’s Department of Music alumnus Jared Swope has been named to the full-time roster of the GRAMMY-nominated Trinity Choir at Trinity Church in New York, New York.

Swope performs two Sunday morning services and an improvised compline service with the choir every week, as well as special liturgical services throughout the year

Trinity Choir performs a robust concert calendar, the Bach at One series, and frequently records and goes on tour, according to Swope. Individual choir singers also serve as section leaders and soloists for the two community choirs at Trinity.

Along with his Trinity Choir duties, Swope is on the core roster of True Concord Voices & Orchestra and the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and a founding member of Fourth Wall Ensemble in New York City. In addition, he frequently collaborates with Spire Chamber Ensemble, Three Notch’d Road Baroque, Ensemble Altera and other groups throughout the country.

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New York Polyphony to perform free concert on Jan. 22

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New York Polyphony, the GRAMMY® nominated vocal ensemble, will perform at Missouri State University in C. Minor Hall 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22.

The concert is free and open to the public.

The group will perform a variety of ancient and modern vocal music pieces. Selections range from twelfth-century English chant and sixteenth-century Italian Renaissance madrigals to nineteenth-century German lieder and early twentieth-century American songs.

“This concert provides an incredible opportunity for our community and students to experience stellar talent, skill and artistry,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor in the Department of Music.

In addition, the program includes twentieth and twenty-first century works. These pieces were commissioned by the ensemble from Paul Moravec, Andrew Smith and Akemi Naito.

“New York Polyphony performs in high-profile venues across the world,” LaBarr noted. “It’s quite a privilege to have them at Missouri State. Hearing them in the intimacy of C. Minor Hall only adds to the experience.”

Springfield native Geoff Williams performs countertenor in the group. Williams graduated from Parkview High School and studied under Willie Grega. Another Missouri native, Andrew Fuchs, is also a member of the ensemble.

About New York Polyphony

New York Polyphony is known for their innovative programming of historical and modern music. The ensemble has performed nationally and internationally, including at Das Brucknerhaus Linz in Austria, Kirche St. Jacob in Germany and the Academy of Early Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Dean Shawn Wahl honored with Uebel Award

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Dr. Shawn T. Wahl, Dean of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH), has been honored with the 2025 Rick and Dee Uebel Award.

Created in 2019 and named after key supporters Rick and Dee Uebel, the award honors long-term commitment, generosity and support of the Missouri State University Choral Studies program.

Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor Dr. Cameron LaBarr, along with the Missouri State University Choral Studies program, presented Wahl with the award Oct. 18 at the annual Choral Gala event, held at The Old Glass Place in Springfield, Missouri.

“I can say without a doubt that Dean Wahl’s support has been and continues to be critical to the success of all the arts programs at MSU, including the MSU Choirs,” LaBarr noted. “He’s the absolute faculty and student champion, with a work ethic second to none.”

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Chorale returns to St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Jan. 9

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Missouri State University’s Chorale will perform at 7:30 p.m. January 9, 2026, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

Hearing choral music in the Basilica is an experience “not to be missed,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music.

“I want people to know how beautiful the space is,” he added. “It’s a work of art in and of itself, architecturally and with the glass mosaic tiles.”

This is senior music major Olivia Morris’s first trip to the Basilica. “I’m excited to understand why the other members of the Chorale love it so much,” she said.

The Chorale’s performance is part of the Basilica’s concert series, which includes The Tallis Scholars, The Vienna Boys Choir, Voces8, among others.

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Performance will be “a beautiful journey”

The Chorale will open its 2026 concert by singing “Notre Pere,” from Part III of Frank Martin’s “In Terra Pax,” in French. “Notre Pere” is a reflective and chant-like setting of the Lord’s prayer, LaBarr said.

They will follow with two motet settings, Byrd’s sixteenth century piece, “Vigilate,” and MacMillan’s “Factus Est Repente” from the twentieth century.

Later in the program, the Chorale will perform Zander Fick’s “Die Onse Vader,” which LaBarr described as “a stunning setting of the Lord’s Prayer in Afrikaans.” They will follow with Franz Biebl’s, “Ava Maria.”

Soprano soloist Kara McBain, guest artist at Missouri State, will perform Havrylet’s “Prayer.” The song “is a beautiful plea for protection, sung in Ukrainian,” LaBarr said.

McBain will also perform Hyo-Won Woo’s “Requiem,” a four-movement work for soprano solo, cello and choir that fuses Korean and Western musical genres, LaBarr said. Missouri State’s Dr. Daniel Ketter will accompany McBain on cello.

Senior music major Trager Leeper said he was excited to perform in another Basilica concert. He is especially looking forward to the “Requiem” performance.

“The music is going to take us on a beautiful journey,” he said.

The Chorale will close the program with Martin’s “Mass for Double Choir.” According to LaBarr, the piece is rarely performed.

“This is one of the most outstanding works for a cappella choir of the twentieth century,” he said. “It is deeply spiritual and reflective, and it is an honor to get to perform it.”

Missouri State Chorale to present “Tidings of Joy” Christmas concert Dec. 7

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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.”

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