Erin Plisco Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Missouri State alumni and faculty reimagine the future at international choral event

October 26, 2026 by Reynolds College

Three alumni of Missouri State University’s Chorale attended the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) World Symposium on Choral Music Aug. 23-28 in Macau, China.

Tanner Munson, Tim Pallett and Anne Copiaco reunited with their mentor, Dr. Cameron LaBarr, at the “reimagining the future” themed event.

LaBarr is director of choral studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music at Missouri State. He currently serves as an ICFM board member and was also on the artistic committee for the 2026 symposium.

“It’s wonderful to see Missouri State University alumni involved in the international choral community at such a high level,” LaBarr said. “A huge part of the mission of our program is to bridge cultures across the world through choral music. This is a great example of that being put into practice.”

Munson presents on vocal pedagogy

Man giving a presentation — Tanner Munson discusses vocalization during his presentation at the IFCM World Symposium.

Munson graduated in 2024 with a master’s in vocal pedagogy. He displayed his expertise in his presentation, “The Collective Voice: Building Your Ensemble through the Vocalise.”

“Having the opportunity to present at IFCM’s international conference is an incredible opportunity,” he noted. “Being able to network with like-minded musicians across the globe is invaluable.”

In his presentation Munson, who now teaches at Missouri State, discussed what separates vocalise from other sounds. He reviewed how vocal instructors can target specific skills in repertoire and rehearsal work while empowering singers to communicate their music properly.

Specifically, Munson credits his Missouri State instructors for his success and growth. In addition to LaBarr, Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco and voice professor Dr. Chris Thompson were “essential” in helping him prepare.

“There’s no way that I could’ve done this without their guidance and without their help,” he said.

The entire symposium experience was “affirming,” Munson added. “It really helped me feel like I’m on the right path. I’m doing the right thing, I’m doing what needs to be done and I’ve got the best people possible surrounding me and helping me do it.”

Women’s Chorus selected as performing choir for 2027 National ACDA Conference

August 19, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Women’s Chorus has been invited for a second consecutive time to perform at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) national conference.

The ensemble will perform two featured concerts at the conference, scheduled for March 7-10, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They will also participate in collaborative concerts and exchanges with collegiate and community ensembles from across the Twin Cities.

The Women’s Chorus was one of only 16 choirs nationally to receive an invitation this year, said women’s chorus director, Dr. Erin Plisco. Every two years, hundreds of collegiate, professional, school, community and church choirs submit recordings for consideration, but only a small number are selected, she explained. From there, the selected ensembles will perform for thousands of music professionals and educators from across the country.

The invitation is the highest honor a choir can achieve in the United States, Plisco added.

Yet the invitation also marks a historic milestone for Missouri State. The Women’s Chorus wasn’t just invited to perform at the ACDA for a second time. This is the first time in university history that one of its choral ensembles received two consecutive national invitations as a performing choir, Plisco said.

Over the past few years, the Women’s Chorus has earned an extraordinary reputation, she said. Since 2022, the ensemble received performance invitations for six state, regional and national conferences. In addition, the group completed its first international concert tour through Germany and the Czech Republic in 2025.

“[The invitation] represents recognition from colleagues we deeply respect,” Plisco said. “But what makes me most proud isn’t simply that our students sing at a high level. It’s that they have built a community where every singer feels valued, challenged and empowered to become the best version of themselves.”

Men’s and women’s choruses attend regional conference of American Choral Directors Association

April 29, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Two choruses from Missouri State University’s Department of Music performed at the southwestern regional conference of the American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) March 4-7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Director of Choral Studies and Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music Dr. Cameron LaBarr directed the Men’s Chorus. Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco directed the Women’s Chorus.

Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne accompanied both ensembles.

Dr. Erin Plisco to head regional choral directors association

February 19, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco has been elected president of the southwestern region of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Plisco, who is an associate professor in the Department of Music, will serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2026. She will serve two years as president-elect, two years as president, and the final two years as past president.

The southwestern region of ACDA includes Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arkansas.

“I am excited for this new level of service to this organization that has given me so much throughout my career,” Plisco said.

Consortium work contributes to leadership experience

Plisco has been involved in ACDA leadership at various levels since 2018.

“Since 2022, I have served as the national repertoire and resource chair for soprano/alto choirs,” she said. “In this role, I recently completed a national commission consortium for treble choirs of various levels – meaning choirs from all over the country contribute a small amount and together we are able to commission new choral works.”

The consortium typically produces two to three new pieces per cycle, Plisco said. This year, however, the consortium enjoyed a record participation of over 130 ensembles.

“Because of this, we were able to produce 13 new works, an astounding number!” she said.

About ACDA

ACDA is the primary choral organization in the United States, according to the organization’s website. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1959, serves approximately 22,000 members. The organization’s mission is to promote excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition and advocacy.

Explore choral studies @ MO State

Photo credit: Patricia Brodersen.

Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

November 19, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

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.