The touring choral group, Chorale, of Central Methodist University, arrived early on campus, Aug. 14, and began practicing for their many music performances for the 2017-18 season.
On Thursday, Aug. 17, they gave their first concert, an impromptu appearance for President Roger Drake in the hallway of second-floor Brannock. An impressed and appreciative audience gathered to laud what they had created after just three days of rehearsal as a vocal group of 30 members.
The Chorale is conducted by Dr. Claude Westfall, CMU associate professor of music and director of choral activities, who has held the baton since 2008. In the last two years, the Chorale has expanded their performances from campus and a fall tour to additional spring tours, first in Portland in 2016 then Washington, D.C. in 2017.
This year the docket includes a spring tour to New Orleans, La., with the support of CMU alumnus Earl Bates (Class of 1961 and his wife, Sunny.
Performances this semester include two concerts on campus, Oct. 29 and Dec. 3, and the Chorale’s annual Fall Tour in the central and eastern sections of Missouri, Nov. 16 – Nov. 21.
Members selected for Chorale for 2017-18 include:
Catherine Barnard, a sophomore nursing major from Columbia; Susan Bishop, a senior music education major from Fayette; Cori Bryan, a sophomore music education major from Springfield; Cayla Carr, a junior music education major from Mt. Sterling; Adam Christal, a senior music education major from Boonville;
Gannon Craig, a senior music education major from Salem; Kevin Curry, a freshman music education major from Salisbury; Emily Day, a senior music education major from Wellsville; Keaton Denney, a sophomore music education major from Cole Camp; Marissa Dickman, a freshman music education major from Maryland Heights;
Josh Goggin, a senior music education major from Fayette; Hannah Guilford, a junior music education major from Sturgeon; Malik Hughes, a junior music major from St. Joseph; Zack Kierstead, a junior music major from Kirkwood; Crystal Kimmi, a sophomore music education major from Stockton;
Rachel Martin, a sophomore music education major from Richland; Joey Mayo, a freshman music ministry major from Lees Summit; Josh Miller, a senior music education major from Waynesville; Kay Wilken-Neas, a senior music education major from Cole Camp; McKenna Nelson, a senior music education major from Macon; Megan Pennington, a freshman communication studies major from Kirksville;
Taylor Perry, a sophomore music education major from Centralia; Chance Roberts, a sophomore music education major from Fayette; Taylor Rouse, a senior music major from Columbia; Abbey Ruggles, a sophomore music education major from Fayette; Libby Cueni-Smith, a freshman music education major from Chillicothe;
Joshua Stettes, a junior music education major from Pacific; Haley Thoma, a senior music education major from Boonville; Duane Watson, a music education major from Dixon; and Hadley Wiggans, a freshman music education major from Macon.
