While their classmates return to classes on Monday, Jan. 14, a pair of Missouri Western State University students will be on a field trip of sorts: Adrienne Collins and Donovan Jones will be singing at a reception following Gov. Jay Nixon’s inauguration in Jefferson City.
Collins, a junior music major from St. Joseph, and Jones, a sophomore music major from Tarkio, Mo., will sing for about 30 minutes during the “Best of Missouri” Barbecue Showcase and Reception at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. The reception, which is open to the public, runs from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Collins and Jones are scheduled to perform at 2 p.m.
“Donovan and I are honored to represent Missouri Western,” said Collins. “In selecting the music for our program, we tried to keep the pieces lively and entertaining, but also show off our classical training.”
The program includes show tunes from “West Side Story,” “Hello Dolly” and “My Fair Lady” among other selections.
Donovan Jones, sophomore music major from Tarkio, Mo., will perform during the “Best of Missouri” Barbecue and Showcase Jan. 14.Jones and Collins have both been honored regionally and nationally for their performances. Collins sang and Jones played piano for the Missouri Western team that finished second in the National Opera Association’s Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition in 2012. Also last year, both placed in the top three of their divisions at the National Association of Teachers of Singing regional competition, and both advanced to the second round of the undergraduate division of the national Classical Singer competition.
The Missouri Western duo is one of only four musical acts to perform at the Best of Missouri reception, and the only entertainers from a university. Other entertainers include a youth choir from Columbia, an acoustic guitar trio from Branson and a saxophonist from Kansas City.
The reception will feature booths from nearly 20 tourist destinations around the state, organized by the Missouri Travel Council. The St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau, which invited the Missouri Western singers to perform, is among the participants.
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. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.