Missouri Western choir and band present spring concerts

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Missouri Western finishes the school year with two music concerts at Potter Hall on the MoWest campus.

First, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, the Missouri Western Chorale will perform its spring concert. Choral Music Director Dr. Paul Dease, who is in his second year at Missouri Western, said the chorale is unique in that it provides even non-music majors the opportunity to learn important choral works and perform them.

"This chorale features students from freshmen to our non-traditional students to our adult returning students," Dease said. "They range from psychology majors, nursing, music majors, you name it. It's the choir that represents the entire university."

Dease said his goal is to build the chorale back up to its pre-COVID 19 numbers, when the chorale had 80 to 90 members. He also said that he often mentions the chorale opportunity in the recruiting process around the region.

Next, on Thursday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., the Missouri Western Instrumental Ensemble will perform. Director Dr. Lee Harrelson said this concert is a culmination of the hard work the students have done all year long. He also said that both the wide variety of music and the fact that this concert will feature a member of the faculty.

"We're featuring Dr. Patrick Gay, who has been our interim director of athletic bands this year," Harrelson said. "There is something for everyone in the concert. We're doing pieces from traditional, almost hymn-like kinds of things to jazz-based influences. . . ."

Both concerts are free and open to the public.