Children will join in MacNeill's final community concert

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The Chadron Community Chorus and the Rapid City Children’s Chorus will combine to present a concert Saturday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m. at the Chadron Arts Center. The performance will mark the final community concert under the direction of Dr. Roger MacNeill, who retired last year from his post as Chadron State College professor of music.

MacNeill said he invited the Rapid City chorus and its director, Ann Deckert, to work with the Chadron ensemble to present John Rutter’s Mass of the Children. MacNeill was in New York City for a choral director’s convention in January 2004 when he heard the world premiere of the work in Carnegie Hall with the composer directing. In addition, both groups also will sing Christmas literature.

They received a standing ovation from an audience of about 700 during its first performance at Rapid City on Sunday.

MacNeill decided to make his final concert with the group special by organizing the combined effort. MacNeill said the Chadron performance will feature the “marvelous” acoustics of the newly refurbished Arts Center at Fourth and King streets.

Featured soloists will be Dr. Joel Schreuder, CSC assistant professor of music, and Dr. Una Taylor, MacNeill’s successor on the CSC faculty and as the director of the Chadron Community Chorus. The accompanist is Melinda Fillmore. Taylor will begin directing the group next semester.

Accompanying the Rapid City group will be former Chadron resident, Pamela Baum.

If purchased in advance, tickets will be $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and youth under 18 years of age. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Chadron State Box Office in Memorial Hall Monday through Friday, 2-6 p.m., (308) 432-6360. All tickets will be $6 at the door.

-College Relations

Category: Campus News