By: Chase Merwin
When it comes to singing, Western’s Chamber Singers have proven that they are among Missouri’s very best.
Western’s Chamber Singers choir had the honor of performing at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference in January 2018, returning for the first time in 10 years among the most talented musical performers in the state.
The group had to prepare seven vastly different songs to showcase at the event.
Dr. Elise Hepworth, director of the choir, said that the reason they chose such a varying range of music to perform was to showcase all that the singers had to offer.
“It’s kind of like the Olympics,” Hepworth said. “You want to show off all your best attributes.”
According to Hepworth, the process of preparation for the group was long, yet enjoyable. On July 15, the elite group found out they were selected to perform at the conference and began rehearsals immediately in the fall.
“It was very intense,” Hepworth said. “They spent hundreds of hours of preparation for that one 27-minute performance.”
To Hepworth, having the honor and experience of attending the MMEA Conference is a life-changing one.
“I think an opportunity like this completely transforms a person, especially if they’re interested in teaching,” Hepworth said. “There’s 3,500 music educators that attend the conference, and about 1,000 of them go to this concert, so for them to be affirmed by other professionals in the field is enormous.”
Mashel Keplinger, one of the singers, also said that the conference was a great networking and learning opportunity.
“I learned a lot from just going to workshops,” Keplinger said. “I learned a lot more about the connections, how the music educators work as a family and how they benefit each other.”
Jackson Connors, another member of the chamber singers group, had a similar opinion. He felt that performing at the conference was beneficial for everyone.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience because you’re in a conference with a bunch of different musicians,” Connors said. “You really get a bunch of different perspectives on how things are supposed to work within music.”
Connors also praised director Hepworth as being the fundamental piece for the choir’s success.
“Dr. Hepworth is really the cornerstone of it all,” Connors said. “Without her, we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing as well.”
Through the MMEA Conference, Western’s Chamber Singers had the chance to demonstrate their choral excellence to thousands of talented musicians across the state. It was not only a learning and networking experience; it was a chance to share one thing they all love so deeply: music.
