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Reynolds College Blog

MSU opera students shine in national competition

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Missouri State University’s Opera Theatre achieved an impressive milestone, qualifying for the 2025 Robert Hanson National Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in January.

Three sophomore standouts represented the university during the competition. Jb Love (music performance), Ryan McIntosh (music education) and Veronika Yerina (double major vocal performance and biology) are all members of MSU’s “Opera Bears” club.

MSU Opera director Dr. Ann Marie Daehn and Dr. Chris Thompson, both professors in the Department of Music, oversaw the students’ performances.

“This is a huge accomplishment for our students and speaks to their talent, dedication and hard work,” Daehn said.

Sending three sophomores was a deliberate choice, Daehn added. Most schools tend to send more experienced seniors or returning finalists.

“We focus on giving opportunities to all performers, even younger students,” she said. “This is about providing every one of our students the chance to grow.”

The National Opera Association (NOA) hosted the event at its national conference in Savannah, Georgia. The competition aims to recognize and promote artistic excellence in opera performance in college and university programs.

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Missouri State students excel at national singing auditions

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Three Missouri State University students from the Department of Music’s voice program took top honors during the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 27-28.

Matthew Juhlin, Theron LePage and Veronika Yerina all advanced to the final rounds and placed in their respective categories, according to Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the music department.

Juhlin placed first and LePage placed second in the Upper Classical TBB (Tenor, Baritone and Bass) Voice category. Juhlin and LePage study voice with Dr. Chris Thompson.

Yerina, who studies voice with Dr. Carol Chapman, placed third in Lower Classical Treble Voice category.

All three received certificates of recognition and monetary awards for their performances.

Emma Gulovsen, Zoe Juhlin, Ryan McIntosh, Tanner Munson, Emily Owings and Jan Veljak all advanced to the semifinal rounds.

[Read more…] about Missouri State students excel at national singing auditions

President’s Concert on April 28 to feature masterwork performances

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The MSU Grand Chorus and MSU Symphony Orchestra will join forces to perform the annual President’s Concert Sunday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

The concert is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.

A long-standing, end-of-year tradition

Conducted by Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies, the annual President’s Concert is a long-standing, end-of-year tradition presented by the Department of Music.

The orchestra is prepared by Dr. Chris Kelts, director of orchestral studies, and the choirs are prepared by Dr. Erin Plisco, associate director of choral studies, and LaBarr.

“Seeing and hearing the caliber of musicians on stage creating beautiful music together is truly amazing,” LaBarr said. “It is one of my favorite events of the year.”

This also will be Clif Smart’s final President’s Concert to sponsor as president of MSU.

President Clif Smart stands at podium with orchestra on stage
President Clif Smart speaks at the 2016 President’s Concert performed that year at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. Photo credit: Bob Linder, Missouri State University.

Soloists have special connections to MSU

This year’s concert will feature four soloists: Kara Ann McBain (soprano), Caitlin Moore (mezzo-soprano), Brandon Michael Nase (tenor) and Jared Swope (baritone).

Each soloist has a special connection to MSU, according to LaBarr.

McBain is a graduate of MSU who studied voice with Dr. Carol Chapman and sang in the MSU Chorale, LaBarr said. She has recorded commercially as a soloist on two of the Chorale’s albums.

Swope is a graduate of MSU who studied with Dr. Chris Thompson and also sang in the MSU Chorale. He has completed graduate degrees at University of Notre Dame and Yale University and now sings professionally around the world.

Nase is currently serving as guest artist in the Department of Music for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Moore and LaBarr met when LaBarr was a faculty member at Lee University. Moore sang professionally in the Tennessee Chamber Chorus, which LaBarr conducted at the time. Moore is now at Colorado Mesa University. [Read more…] about President’s Concert on April 28 to feature masterwork performances

Voice major Matthew Juhlin makes second appearance at Castleton Festival

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Missouri State’s Matthew Juhlin (Senior, Bachelor of Music: Voice Performance) participated in the Vocal Immersion Program at the Castleton Festival in Castleton, Virginia, Dec. 4-16, 2023.

Juhlin was among 16 singers and two pianists selected for the two-week program, which paid for all expenses except travel.

This was Juhlin’s second appearance at the festival. He attended for the first time in 2022.

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Voice students excel at CRNATS competition

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Missouri State University students representing the Department of Music’s voice program took several honors during the Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (CRNATS) competition Oct. 26-28 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

Young man singing with older man playing piano
Brendan Sienko performs at the CRNATS competition, accompanied by Dr. Perry Mears.

During the competition, 21 of the students advanced to the national preliminary round, according to professor of music Dr. Chris Thompson.

In addition to Thompson, other MSU faculty accompanying the students to the competition were Dr. Carol Chapman, Dr. Paula Patterson, Dr. Todd Payne, Dr. Perry Mears and artist-in-residence Mr. Brandon Russell.

Rigorous competition brings national recognition

Thompson described the competition process as rigorous and exhausting, with typically over 13,000 singers competing in the regional levels alone.

But MSU’s success rates make the process well worth the effort. [Read more…] about Voice students excel at CRNATS competition