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Tower Choir

About the Ensemble

Formed decades ago by Ralph E. Hartzell, and presently under the direction of Dr. Adam Zrust, the Northwest Tower Choir has a rich and varied history of outstanding choral performance and musical perfection marked by invitational appearances at a number of high respected conventions; for example, five appearances at the MMEA State Conventions (1973 and 1978 with Byron Mitchell, 1996 with Richard Weymuth, and 2003 and 2010 with Stephen Town). Since 1999-2000, the ensemble has performed more than 100 concerts for high schools, colleges, universities, churches, institutions, and organizations in the states of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas; Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma; Ohio, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Indiana.

Eligibility

The ensemble meets three times weekly (MWF) at 11-11.50 a.m. Auditions are held the week before the beginning of the fall and spring semester for any interested student. Membership is based upon musical and vocal skills, rather than area of study, though most of the choristers are music majors/minors and receive vocal performance awards.

Accomplishments

There have been nine peer-reviewed/invited concerts for learned societies/regional and state conventions, meetings, and symposia:

The 2009-2010 academic year brought invitations to sing at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) State Convention and at the Mid-American Medieval Association (MAMA) Regional Convention in March 2010. In addition to these venues, the Tower Choir has appeared on the campuses of Westminster Choir College (NJ) (2007), Rhodes College (TN) (2003), University of Mississippi-Oxford (2003), University of Nebraska-Omaha (2002, 2000) and William Jewell College (2003).

The ensemble has been invited to present concerts on several performing arts series: Conception Seminary College Performing Arts Series (Basilica of Conception Abbey) (2003-2004/Fall 2003), St. Joseph Symphony Concert Series (St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri State University) (2000-2001/Spring 2001), and Community of Christ "Dome and Spire Concert Series" (Independence, MO Temple) (1999-2000/Spring 2000).

The Tower Choir has worked with twelve nationally-known choral conductors:

The ensemble has produced one CD, titled "Caritas et Amor: The Best of the Tower Choir 1999-2003," featuring the award-winning work (Caritas et Amor) by Dr. Randall Stroope, commissioned by Dr. Town for the Tower Choir (2003). The rendition by the Tower Choir of Caritas et Amor has been included on a second CD, titled "Passages: The Choral Works of Z. Randall Stroope, Volume 2" (2004).

Innovations for the Tower Choir and the choral department have included:

The Tower Choir takes an extended tour over Spring Break every four years. During the 2005-2006 academic year, it traveled to the East Coast (Washington, DC, Annapolis, MD, and Manhattan, NY) on March 15-24; during the tour, it performed concerts at churches and high schools, as well as a peer-reviewed concert at Washington National Cathedral.

Sample Media

Contact

Dr. Adam Zrust
azrust@nwmissouri.edu