The singers of Central Methodist University’s Chorale soon leave for an exciting tour in the Washington D.C. area, with scheduled performances in historic and acclaimed places like the National Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, and the National Cathedral.
They will depart CMU on Sunday, May 14, and their seven-day performance schedule will begin that same day.
Last year, CMU alumnus Earl Bates (Class of 1961) and his wife, Sunny, of Big Fork, Mont., sponsored the Chorale’s trip to the international United Methodist Church Convention in Portland, Ore. The Bateses were so excited about those performances, they provided funds to plan another trip, according to Claude Westfall, director of choral activities at CMU.
“The gift by Sunny and Earl Bates is an amazing opportunity for our students,” Westfall said. “I believe any time we can enhance the learning of our music students by adding performances in new venues, we allow them more chances for musical growth, and instill in them a broader musical background.”
So, the search began to locate churches to host the group in the DC area. The Chorale was invited to sing with Pat Vaughn, director of Annadale UMC, two other choirs, and a professional orchestra at the National Cathedral. This led them to explore other performance venues, which completed their tour schedule.
“This trip will not only be a chance to travel, but to perform and connect with people in the DC area that may not have previously heard of Central Methodist University, or have any idea of the marvelous caliber of our music program,” Westfall said.
Students participating in the tour will include Susan Bishop, a music education major from Fayette; Corneille Bryan, an education and music education double major from Springfield; Cayla Carr, a music education major from Mount Sterling; Adam Christal, a music education major from Boonville; Gannon Craig, a music education major from Salem;
Emily Day, a music education major from Wellsville; Danielle DeBrodie, a music education major from Jefferson City; Keaton Denney, an education and music education double major from Cole Camp; Josh Goggin, an education and music education double major from Fayette; Hannah Guilford, an education and music education double major from Sturgeon;
Katelyn Hanvey, a music education major from Centralia; Malik Hughes, a music major from Saint Joseph; Anna Kay, a music major from Boonville; Samantha Marshall, a nursing major from Auxvasse; Josh Miller, a music education major from Waynesville; Anthony Mintert, a music education major from O’Fallon; McKenna Nelson, an education and music education double major from Macon;
Taylor Perry, an education and music education double major from Centralia; Chance Roberts, an education and music education double major from Fayette; Taylor Rouse, a music major from Columbia; Abbey Ruggles, an education and music education double major from Fayette; Aiden Smith, a music major from Fayette; Josh Stettes, an education and music education double major from Pacific;
DeSean Stokes, a music major from Saint Robert; Haley Thoma, an education and music education double major from Boonville; Leah Trammell, a music education major from Union; Duane Watson, a music education major from Dixon; and Kay Wilken, a music education major from Cole Camp.
Also attending will be the Bateses, Westfall and his wife, Diana; CMU President Roger Drake and his wife, Judy; and other CMU faculty, staff, and parents of some of the students.
The public performance schedule is as follows:
Sunday, May 14
4:30 p.m. – Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church, Baltimore, Md.
Monday, May 15
11 a.m. – National Holocaust Museum, Washington DC
7 p.m. – Annandale United Methodist Church, Annandale, Va.
Tuesday, May 16
9:30 a.m. – Senate Park, Capitol Hill, Washington DC
11 a.m. – Arlington National Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony
7 p.m. – Gettysburg United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, Pa.
Wednesday, May 17
11 a.m. – Gettysburg Battlefield National Park
7 p.m. – La Plata United Methodist Church, La Plata, Md.
Thursday, May 18
7 p.m. – Calloway United Methodist Church, Washington, DC
Friday, May 19
7:30 p.m. – Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC
Saturday, May 20
7 p.m. – The National Cathedral, Washington DC