Missouri Western State University music faculty members Susan Carter and Lory Lacy and student Donovan Jones will be featured at the First Thursday Downtown Noon Concert Series at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 7th and Jules in St. Joseph. The performance will feature Franz Schubert’s “The Shepherd on the Rock” for soprano, flute, and piano and Poulenc’s “Sonata for Flute and Piano” in addition to a variety of other pieces for soprano and piano.
First Presbyterian Church sponsors the series with the cooperation of Missouri Western’s department of music. The audience is invited to bring lunch to eat during the performance. Beverages will be provided. There will be an opportunity to meet the musicians after the concert.

Dr. Carter, associate professor of music, serves as the assistant dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and director of vocal studies in the department of music. She is the energetic force and director behind the newly created opera program, Missouri Western Opera Theater, touring area public and private schools presenting operas for all ages. Studio students of Dr. Carter excel as first place winners and finalists in competitions such as the National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Opera Association and finalists in the 2012 Classical Singer’s competition.

Dr. Carter, a soprano soloist, has performed internationally in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France and nationally with companies including the Dallas Opera, Dallas Ballet, Rochester Opera, Liederkranz Society of New York, Syracuse Opera and symphonies including the Dallas Symphony, Ft. Worth Symphony and Denver Symphony. Leading roles include “Lucia,” “Queen of the Night,” “Constanza,” “Donna Anna” and “Leonora” in Verdi’s il Trovatore in New Orleans.

Dr. Carter received her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Music Degree from Texas Christian University and Doctor of Music Degree from Texas Tech University.

Lory Lacy, adjunct professor of flute, attended the Oberlin Conservatory and Peabody Conservatory where she received her bachelor’s degree. She went on to receive her master’s degree in flute performance from the San Francisco Conservatory. Lacy’s original projects include a studio release, “Alien Water Sky,” which aired regularly on the premiere Los Angeles rock radio station, 95.5 KLOS. Her jazz quartet was featured live on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.”

As a studio musician, she has been heard on The Disney Channel, Fox Movie Channel, and BET. Her original jazz disc, “As the Crow Flies,” is played on radio stations around the country and has received positive reviews in L.A. Jazz Scene and JAZZIZ Magazine. After moving to Missouri, Lacy recorded an oral history for The American Jazz Museum for the Women in Jazz archives. She has also performed with the Brad Cox Ensemble, and her rock band, Firebox, has played all over the Midwest. She currently plays principal flute with the St. Joseph Symphony.

was born and raised in Tarkio, Mo. He began playing the piano at the age of 12 and is now a voice performance major. Jones studies voice with Dr. Carter and piano with Dr. Nathanael May, assistant professor of music. Jones also enjoys singing in the church choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Saint Joseph as well as being an assistant to the director of music and the church’s pipe organist substitute.

In order to help defray expenses and to insure the continuation of the series, a freewill offering will be taken. The suggested minimum donation is three dollars. Additional financial assistance has been provided by the Commerce Bank of St. Joseph.

The future concerts for this year are:

October 4: Steve Molloy, trumpet, with Jerry L. Anderson, organ

November 1: Missouri Western’s Choral Ensembles, David Benz and Roger Hale, directors

December 6: Jason Riley, guitar

February 7: Matthew Edwards, piano

March 7: First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary and Bell Choir, Jerry L. Anderson and Judy Long, directors

April 4: Missouri Western’s Symphonic Winds Ensemble, Jeff Hinton, director.

For further information, contact the First Presbyterian Church office at 816-232-3358 or the Missouri Western music office at 816-271-4420 or Jerry Anderson, Noontime Concerts coordinator, at 816-262-0800.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visitwww.missouriwestern.edu.