Reynolds College Blog

World-renowned choir to perform at Hammons Hall March 13

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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

Click image to download event flyer.

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.

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

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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.

Graphic promoting "The Sounding Joy" concert

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.

MSU Chorale producer nominated for Grammy® Award

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Dirk Sobotka, producer of the Missouri State University Chorale album, “Radiance Untethered,” has been nominated for a 2025 Grammy® Award.

Sobotka was nominated for Producer of the Year, Classical, for his work on four commercially released albums, including “Radiance Untethered: the Choral Music of John Wykoff.” The other three albums were recorded with the Cincinnati Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

“We are thrilled for Dirk and this esteemed recognition and certainly honored to have the MSU Chorale in the company of such fine professional ensembles,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music and director of the choral studies program..

“Radiance Untethered” marks the fourth MSU Chorale album recorded by Sobotka, LaBarr added. The Chorale will record with him again in March 2025 in Plano, Texas. This collaboration will be with the guest South African choir, The University of Pretoria Camerata.

“This is such a well-deserved honor for Dirk,” said Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne from MSU’s Department of Music. Payne played piano for the “Radiance Untethered” recording. [Read more…] about MSU Chorale producer nominated for Grammy® Award

MSU Chorale Tours South America

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The Missouri State University Chorale conducted its first tour of South America when the group visited Chile and Argentina in May 2024.

The tour spanned 17 days and seven cities.

“These trips provide a fantastic opportunity for our students to share wonderful moments of music making together,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies. “But more than that, they will share in life experiences from exploring the outdoors to sharing meals with people from all over the world.”

The Chorale performed with several university and local choirs, singing pieces from all over the world.

The repertoire included selections from Europe and North America, including an original song composed by MSU alumnus Erich Eastman. The Chorale also sang several South American pieces, ranging from contemporary choral works to arrangements of folk songs.

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Missouri State University Chorale releases “Radiance Untethered”

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The Missouri State University Chorale announces the release of their latest album, “Radiance Untethered: The Choral Music of John Wykoff.”

“This album not only showcases the unique music of John Wykoff but also the talent and enthusiasm that our students have for creating impactful musical experiences,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies.

Album cover portraying artistic colorful landscape
Click album cover to purchase from GIA Publications.

The choir recorded the album over three days in the Goshen Music Center in Goshen, Indiana, during their May Tour in 2023. The center has produced several award-winning recordings and is one of the best places to record choral singing, LaBarr said.

A composer of instrumental and choral music, Wykoff studied with composers David Del Tredici, Bruce Saylor, and Jeffrey Nichols at the City University of New York. He also studied privately with Alice Parker, a major influence on his work.

Wykoff lives in Tennessee, where he is a professor of music theory and composition at Lee University.

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