Central Methodist University’s talented Chorale is at it again, prepared to impress its audiences at yet another prestigious event.
The choir was carefully selected as one of six in Missouri invited to sing for the 40th anniversary celebration of the Robert Ray Gospel Mass at the National American Choral Directors (ACDA) Convention. This will take place Saturday, March 2 at the Kaufman Center in Kansas City. There will be two performances that day, and both are sold out.
Selected by the director of the Mass, the Chorale was chosen because of its growing reputation around the state as a quality ensemble, according to CMU Director of Choral Activities Claude R. Westfall.
Additionally, the Chorale will perform the Gospel Mass on Sunday, March 3 as part of the March Concert, along with CMU’s Conservatory Singers under the direction of Dr. Laura Wiebe.
The Robert Ray Gospel Mass is a longtime tradition that has become a seminal work of African-American music performed by choirs and churches all over the world.
Under the direction of Westfall, the anniversary celebration performances include “Kyrie, Lord Have Mercy” with soloist DaSean Stokes, a CMU alumnus; “Gloria, Glory to God in the Highest” with soloists Kekona Asi, a freshman education major from Waynesville, and Abbey Ruggles, a junior music ministry major from Fayette;
“Credo, I Believe in God” with soloists Asi and Hannah Guilford, a junior music education major from Sturgeon; “Acclamation, Hallelujah Praise the Lord” with Stokes as soloist; “Sanctus, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts” with soloist Keaton Denney, a junior music education major from Cole Camp; and “Angus Dei, Lamb of God” with soloist Malik Hughes, a senior music major from St. Joseph.
Other members of the Chorale include:
Alto
Crystal Kimmi, a junior music education major from Stockton; Joni Lehman, a freshman pre-major from Jefferson City; Amanda Lewis, a sophomore music education major from Palmyra; Chely Stratton, a freshman music ministry major from Raymore; Kylie VanGundy, a freshman biology major from Wentzville
Bass
Alex Autry, a sophomore music education major from Norborne; Gannon Craig, a senior music education major from Salem; Alec Fields, a sophomore music education major from Fulton; Josh Goggin, a senior music major from Fayette; Zachary Kierstead, a senior music major from Kirkwood; Ben Pilger, a freshman music education major from Festus; Hadley Wiggins, a sophomore business major from Macon
Soprano
Cori Bryan, a junior music education major from Springfield; Madalyn Bartholomew, a freshman music education major from Salisbury; Cayla Carr, a senior music education major from Mount Sterling; Marissa Dickman, a sophomore music education major from Maryland Heights; Anna Guerkink, a freshman music education major from Perryville; Rachel Martin, a junior music education major from Richland; Hailey Sage, a freshman music education major from Fayette
Tenor
Adam Christal, a senior music major from Boonville; Ezechiel Daos, a freshman music education major from Boonville; Tres Hampton, a freshman music major from Dexter; Joey Mayo, a sophomore music ministry major from Lees Summit; Josh Stettes, a junior music education major from Pacific; Hayden Vaughn, a junior music ministry major from Springfield; Duane Watson, a senior music major from Dixon.