Reynolds College Blog

Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences

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Missouri State University’s Dr. Perry Mears, assistant professor of collaborative piano in the Department of Music, performed with oboist Michelle Vigneau, hornist Robert Patterson and cellist Craig Hultgren as part of the Iowa Composers Forum (ICF) Sept. 8, 9 and 10.

The ICF tours feature new music by composers from across the Midwest.

Informal performance format engages audiences

The tour adopted a unique format by holding performances in informal settings throughout Iowa. During the Casual Classics event at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, for example, the performers got to interact with the audience.

“Often times audiences can appreciate newer, more challenging music if the environment is casual, or in some way subverts their expectation of what a classical music event should be,” Mears said.

They also performed in house concerts, such as the historic Potter House in Decorah and a Frank Lloyd Wright House in Quasquaton.

“It was pretty amazing to perform in a Frank Lloyd Wright house,” Mears said. “It’s definitely not a commonplace experience. The piano [had] also been redesigned by Wright to match the sightlines of the living room decor, which affected its height and such, making for a singular performing experience.” [Read more…] about Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences

“Tidings of Joy: Christmas with MSU Chorale” performance Dec. 3

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Missouri State University’s Chorale will perform its first Christmas concert in several years at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at Christ Episcopal Church.

“There have been other holiday and Christmas performances, but the Chorale hasn’t performed a Christmas concert in quite some time,” said Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor in Music and Director of Choral Studies.

Christ Episcopal Church is hosting the Chorale for the Christmas concert as part of its newly formed concert series, LaBarr said. [Read more…] about “Tidings of Joy: Christmas with MSU Chorale” performance Dec. 3

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

MSU’s School of the Arts honored at 38th Annual Ozzies

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Missouri State University’s School of the Arts, part of the Judith Enyeart Reynold’s College of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, was honored with the Arts Champion Award at the 38th Annual Ozzie Awards Oct. 14, 2023.

In addition, MSU’s Dr. Steve Willis, professor of art education, was honored with the Ozzie’s Excellence in Arts Education award.

The Ozzie Awards are sponsored by the Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC). The SRAC supports visual, performing, literary and film/media arts organizations across 27 Missouri counties.

[Read more…] about MSU’s School of the Arts honored at 38th Annual Ozzies

MSU Choirs host fifth annual Choral Gala

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The Missouri State University Choirs hosted the fifth annual Choral Gala at Hotel Vandivort on September 30, 2023, raising over $50,000 for students in the choral program.

The event included a cocktail hour followed by dinner, a performance from the MSU Chorale, silent and live auctions and the presentation of the 2023 Rick and Dee Uebel Award to President Clif and Gail Smart.

Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies, was “extremely pleased” with the event.

“There was a certain energy at this event that is quite hard to describe,” LaBarr said. “It’s amazing when the arts are combined with passionate people with generous spirit!”

College student singers perform in ballroom

Members of the MSU Chorale perform for gala attendees. [Read more…] about MSU Choirs host fifth annual Choral Gala