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MSU Chorale producer nominated for Grammy® Award

November 13, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

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 Theatre and Dance collaborates with Springfield Symphony Orchestra in “Carousel”

October 31, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to present “Carousel” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 2024, at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

As part of the Symphony’s “Lullaby of Broadway” program, the performance features a concert version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic and stars Josh Young, associate professor and coordinator of musical theatre at Missouri State.

The production includes a 55-member ensemble backed by a 60-plus piece symphony.

Springfield Symphony Maestro Kyle Pickett will conduct the entire event.

Tickets are available through the Hammons Hall box office and online at www.missouristatetix.com.

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Collaboration leads to “Carousel”

When Young joined MSU’s theatre and dance faculty in 2023, one of his first actions was to have lunch with Pickett to discuss collaboration opportunities.

“Kyle and I discussed several possibilities, including an evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein music,” Young said.

Originally, the plan was to give a performance featuring Young and his wife, Emily Padgett-Young. Both are Broadway veterans, and Young was nominated for a Tony® Award in 2012.

“However, ‘Carousel’ has always been one of my favorite musical scores,” Young said. “With the immense talent we have here at MSU, I thought, ‘Why just do a two-person evening of songs when we could create something even more special?’”

“The idea of bringing the full richness of ‘Carousel’ to life with our students, in collaboration with the Springfield Symphony, felt like the perfect way to elevate the experience for both the performers and the audience,” he added.

Since then, working with Pickett and the technical staff at Hammons Hall has been a delight, Young said. “Their professionalism and flexibility have made the collaboration seamless.”

Man singing in front of Steinway piano — Josh Young performs for the Missouri State Foundation Board of Trustees on Oct. 18, 2024, in the C. Minor Recital Hall. Photo credit: Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University.

Dovid Adler reaches semi-finals in APO NextGen competition

October 29, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University sophomore Dovid Adler, a BFA musical theatre major, has reached the semi-finals in the 2024 American Pops Orchestra (APO) NextGen competition. He will compete via live stream Dec. 1.

“When I learned I reached the semis, I genuinely jumped out of my seat with excitement,” Adler said. “It felt like a wave of reassurance for me and my artistry.”

For the semi-finals, Adler will perform “Misty,” a jazz standard made famous by Ella Fitzgerald. “I really love that song, and I think it showcases me as an artist very well,” he said.

Finalists will travel to New York City to perform at the Lincoln Center Jan. 19, 2025.

Competing adds to audition experience

Adler decided to compete not only to learn more about the audition process but also to get accustomed to potential rejection.

Dovid Adler. Photo credit: Luke Fontana.

“I decided to audition because, as a performer, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and not be afraid of rejection, even though it’s so common,” he said. “Because of all the rejection we face as artists, it’s hard not to get used to that feeling.”

Encouraged by MSU community

Adler’s success so far in the NextGen competition did not surprise Musical Theatre Coordinator Josh Young.

“I am excited to see Dovid’s talent being recognized on a national level,” Young said. “Despite only being with us for a few months as a transfer student, he has quickly showcased his exceptional talent and dedication.”

“We are proud of his accomplishments and look forward to his continued success,” Young added.

After graduating, Adler hopes to move to New York City to pursue an acting and singing career. In the meantime, he said he is enjoying the encouragement shown to him at Missouri State.

“Everyone here is so supportive, and I feel very loved and supported in my journey as an artist and specifically in this competition.”

Learn more about MSU’s musical theatre program

MSU Chorale Tours South America

October 11, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

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.

Adonis Garcia wins principal cello position in Springfield Symphony Orchestra

October 10, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Adonis Garcia, a sophomore cello performance major in Missouri State University’s Department of Music, recently won the principal cello position during a blind audition for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

“We are proud of the excellent work Adonis has done to win this professional leadership position in Springfield Symphony Orchestra,” said Dr. Daniel Ketter, associate professor of music at MSU and Garcia’s cello teacher.

Garcia was in math class when he learned he had won principal cello.

“Honestly, I almost cried with emotion, but I held back because there were many people around me,” Garcia said.

Immediately after hearing the news, Garcia called his parents in Venezuela. They were surprised by the news, as Garcia had not told them he was auditioning. Then he called his girlfriend, Moira, whom he described as one of his biggest supporters.

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