The Central Methodist University Chorale will begin its annual fall concert tour Thursday in Moberly and travel to 12 other Missouri communities over six days to perform in secondary-level schools and churches.

Directed by Dr. Claude R. Westfall, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, the CMU Chorale consists of 24 highly auditioned singers who perform sacred and secular music in a variety of choral styles both accompanied and unaccompanied.

The Chorale will perform at United Methodist Churches and high schools and middle schools throughout Central, North Central and Western Missouri. Communities on the performance schedule are Moberly, Kirksville, Clinton, Odessa, Macon, Kearney, Lee’s Summit, Platte City, Grandview, Pleasant Hill, Ashland, Warrensburg and Knob Noster.
Additional information on performance dates and times are listed at the end of this article. Performances in the churches are free and open to the public.
Chorale members from this area include Lacey Eaton of Fayette, Hannah Lilienkamp of Harrisburg and Elaine Stevenson of Huntsville.

The Chorale is composed of members from the larger A Cappella Choir, which remains a major part of the vocal music program at CMU’s Swinney Conservatory of Music. The A Cappella Choir was formed in 1932 and began giving fall concert tours in 1933. The CMU Chorale is one of three choirs: Chorale, Conservatory Singers, and the combined group, the A Cappella Choir, within CMU’s music program.

Nearly half of all choir members are music majors. Other choir members are majoring in one of Central’s other 40-plus academic disciplines. Many choir members also perform with other groups that are part of CMU’s music program.
Veteran music teacher and Columbia resident Claude R. Westfall was appointed director of choral activities in June. He replaced R. Paul Drummond, who served as the director of choral music at CMU for nearly 27 years until his death in September 2007.

Westfall directs the conservatory’s choral program, which includes the A Cappella Choir and the 18-member touring ensemble. He also teaches academic music courses. Westfall has 27 years of experience in Missouri public schools and was a teaching assistant for four years at MU. His ensembles have performed at state and national conventions and have traveled extensively, performing in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Westfall earned his bachelor’s degree in vocal and instrumental music at Southwest Baptist University and a master’s degree in education and choral conducting at Missouri State University. He holds a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction/music education with an emphasis in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The 2008 Tour repertoire includes: “Christus Factus Est” by Anton Bruckner, “There is Sweet Music Here” by Stephen Chatman and “Lead Me Home” by Eric William Barnum.

Other pieces to be performed include the popular Broadway music from “West Side Story” arranged by Robert Edgerton, “Downshift” by Mark Vance, “Silent Night” arranged by Rhonda Polay, “White Christmas” arranged by Brian Reeves, and traditional works such as “Beautiful Savior” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”

Tour Schedule

Thursday, Nov. 20 - 11 a.m., Moberly High School, 1:30 p.m.; Kirksville High School, 7 p.m.; Clinton United Methodist Church.

Friday, Nov. 21 - 8:45 a.m., Odessa High School, 1:25 p.m.; Macon High School, 7 p.m.; Kearney First United Methodist Church.

Saturday, Nov. 22 - 7 p.m., Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church,

Sunday, Nov. 23 - 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., worship services at Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church; 5:30 p.m., Platte City United Methodist Church.

Monday, Nov. 24 - 9:30 a.m., Grandview High School; 12:45 p.m., Pleasant Hill High School; 7:30 p.m. Ashland United Methodist Church, St. Joseph.

Tuesday, Nov. 25 - 11:30 a.m., Warrensburg High School; 1:45 p.m., Knob Noster High School.

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