Reynolds College Blog

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.”

Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

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The Department of Music is excited to announce a concert coordinated by Missouri State University’s Choral Union, Symphony Orchestra and dance students from the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Featuring Johannes Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52,” the collaborative effort is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public.

Before and after the concert, members of Mu Phi, Missouri State’s music fraternity, will be on hand to collect canned good donations.

“Universally adored” music

Brahms originally composed the waltzes for choir and piano four hands, explained Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco. Later, however, he transcribed several of the movements for choir and orchestra.

“Brahms is accessible for both choir and orchestra, and the music is charming and universally adored,” she said.

Plisco and Missouri State’s Orchestra Director, Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, will share conducting duties for the Liebeslieder. In addition, some of the music department’s graduate conducting students will conduct a few of the movements.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Dr. Perry Mears and Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne will perform the movements written for just piano and choir.

The concert will also feature additional selections from the orchestra and choir performing separately, Plisco said.

An orchestra on stage
The Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Photo credit: Kevin White/Missouri State University.

[Read more…] about Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

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.”

Mark your calendar

 

Dr. Erin Plisco selected for international choral competition

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Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco is one of 16 semifinalists selected for the fourth edition of the Romano Gandolfi International Competition for Choral Conductors.

Plisco, an associate professor in the Department of Music, will compete in Parma, Italy, Nov. 28-30, 2025. She is one of only two Americans selected for the competition.

“This competition seeks to elevate choral music worldwide and help competing conductors to establish an international conducting career,” she said.

The event will be live streamed.

Brings international experience to competition

Headshot of woman
Dr. Erin Plisco

Plisco has a wealth of international experience already, having served as a fellow for the American Choral Directors Association’s International Conductors Exchange Program in 2023. But she has never competed at this level before.

“I have not experienced anything quite like this,” Plisco said. “Internationally, I have traveled with my own choir and participated in choral exchanges, and I have also participated in several international conducting masterclasses. But never something as competitive as this!”

Plisco first learned about the competition through an email invitation to apply. She submitted her application in July and was notified in September that she had been accepted. As part of the application process, Plisco sent her curriculum vitae and video recordings of her conducting. The jury based its selections on career accomplishments and conducting ability, according to Plisco.

[Read more…] about Dr. Erin Plisco selected for international choral competition

World renowned pianist Charl du Plessis to perform Oct. 20

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Internationally acclaimed pianist Charl du Plessis will present a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in C. Minor Recital Hall on Missouri State University’s Springfield campus. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The concert is part of the William T. White recital series and sponsored by the Department of Music and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. It is free and open to the public.

Du Plessis is a Steinway Artist and piano lecturer at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

“Charl du Plessis is a one-of-a-kind musician and performer,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor of music and director of Missouri State’s choral studies. “This performance on Oct. 20 is not to be missed, especially considering the wide variety of musical genres that will be explored.”

Performance mixes classical and jazz

During his solo concert, du Plessis will perform a mixture of classical and jazz-inspired compositions. Featured music includes selections from Bach, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Astor Piazzolla. Afterward, du Plessis will invite audience members to suggest any piece of music. He will then improvise a performance of that piece.

“Personally, I’m hoping right after some Rachmaninoff and Chopin, he can throw in the theme song from ‘Murder, She Wrote’!” LaBarr laughed.

Du Plessis visited the Springfield campus in March 2025 when the University of Pretoria Camerata toured here.

“I have known Charl for some years now, but we only recently had the opportunity to work together during our March 2025 tour and recording project,” LaBarr said. “Having him play alongside Parker Payne, MSU artist-in-residence and collaborative pianist with the MSU Chorale and the University of Pretoria Tuks Camerata, was an absolute dream for everyone involved.”

Du Plessis will be featured on the next album to be released by Missouri State’s Chorale. The album is a collaboration with the University of Pretoria Camerata from South Africa.

Weeklong activities include performances and masterclasses

In addition to his solo concert, du Plessis will also join Missouri State’s Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus at their concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public.

On Oct. 17, du Plessis will engage with the music department’s jazz and piano students in masterclasses. He will also play piano for the Choral Gala at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Old Glass Place.

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About Charl du Plessis

Charl du Plessis rose to fame when he was the youngest pianist in Africa to be named a Steinway Artist in 2010. He studied with master piano teacher Joseph Stanford at the University of Pretoria and was the first student to complete a doctoral performance degree specializing in classical and jazz piano.

Du Plessis has won numerous awards and has collaborated with several preeminent musicians and orchestras. He lives in Pretoria, South Africa.

 

Photo provide by Charl du Plessis.