Four Missouri Western State University students were chosen to sing in the All-Collegiate Honor Choir during the annual Missouri Music Educators Association at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage, Missouri Jan. 28-30.
Selected for the honor choir were senior Daniel Brooks of Kearney, Missouri, junior Kayla Mertz of Smithville, Missouri and freshman Abby Sexton and sophomore BJ Myers, both of St. Joseph.
The group rehearsed with 200 singers from 31 Missouri colleges and universities for two days before their concert Friday, January 30. The director for the ensemble was Dr. Dale Kruse from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The theme of the concert was opera chorus, featuring works by Dominick Argento, Stephen Paulus, Frances Poulenc, Carl Maria von Weber, Richard Genee, and Giuseppe Verdi. Over 500 people were in attendance, and the chorus received a standing ovation.
Dr. Elise Hepworth, director of choral studies and music education in Missouri Western’s Department of Music, is their nominating director.
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.