MSU Chorale Hosts Tuks Camerata for Unique Collaborative Concert

Missouri State University’s Chorale will perform with South Africa’s Tuks Camerata this Thursday at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall, featuring high school choirs. The collaboration highlights the unity of choral music and includes diverse musical styles and a gumboot dance. MSU students can obtain free tickets, and both choirs will engage in additional performances and educational activities during their visit.

Missouri State University (MSU) Chorale is set to host the Tuks Camerata, a prestigious choir from South Africa, for a collaborative performance in Springfield. The concert will take place on Thursday at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts and will also feature local high school choirs from Nixa and Republic. This collaboration is a celebration of the unifying power of choral music, according to Cameron LaBarr, the director of choral studies at MSU.

LaBarr noted that the directors of both choirs share the desire for an extended collaboration. He emphasized the unique value of this experience, stating that the time spent in South Africa is incomparable. Tuks Camerata, which recently arrived on the East Coast, will perform across significant U.S. landmarks before heading to Missouri.

The MSU Chorale and Tuks Camerata will rehearse together prior to the concert, which has reportedly sold over 900 tickets, with more still available. MSU students, faculty, and staff can obtain complimentary tickets by presenting their Bearpass ID at the box office, or they can purchase tickets online.

The evening will showcase a diverse range of musical styles, encompassing original works and traditional pieces in various languages. The Tuks Camerata is set to include a gumboot dance, which has roots in South African mining culture. Michael Barrett-Berg, conductor of Tuks Camerata, expressed that working with MSU Chorale feels remarkably familiar due to shared philosophies in choral music.

Following the Springfield concert, both choirs will perform in Bentonville, Arkansas, alongside a high school choir, before heading to Dallas for rehearsal and album recording. LaBarr highlighted the educational value of this experience for students, describing it as a true sense of cultural diplomacy. Tuks Camerata has earned both national and international recognition over its 57-year history and comprises 82 full-time students.

Both Nixa’s choir and Tuks Camerata have been chosen to present at the American Choral Directors Association national conference in March, marking a significant achievement. LaBarr described the collaboration as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for MSU and Tuks Camerata, underscoring the importance of this joint effort.

The collaborative concert between MSU Chorale and Tuks Camerata represents a significant cultural exchange, emphasizing the universal language of music. With a diverse repertoire, the event aims to not only entertain but also educate students on cultural diplomacy. The joint performances and activities scheduled after the concert further solidify the relationship between the two choirs, which is recognized as a unique and valuable opportunity for all involved.

Original Source: www.news-leader.com