Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
— Luke 15:10 NRSV
SBU Choral at Central
The Chorale of Southwest Baptist University is the premiere choral ensemble of the university and has performed extensively across the state, the country, and the world. This selectively auditioned ensemble performs regularly as well for major music education and denominational conventions. The choir specializes in a cappella sacred music from the Renaissance through modern periods and each year presents a major choral work with orchestra. In addition to numerous appearances across the state each year at schools, churches, and major state gatherings, the Chorale jas undertaken two international tours in recent years. The Chorale has performed in such venues as St. Vitas Cathedral in Prague and for Mass at the Salzburg Dom. The Chorale has appeared in recent years at the Missouri Music Educators Association state convention and before the Missouri Baptist Convention.
The Chorale is under the baton of Dr. James R. Tarrant, director of choral studies and professor of music at SBU. Dr. Tarrant earned his Master of Music degree at Eastern Kentucky University in choral conducting and piano, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Memphis. Choirs under his direction have performed across the United States andEurope, including a notable command performance for the Royal Family of the United Kingdom. Dr. Tarrant is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator across Missouri and also directs the university’s chamber vocal ensemble. He currently serves as the organist of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Springfield, Missouri and is a past director of the Missouri Music Men.
The Music Department, part of the Geneva Casebolt College of Music, Arts, and Letters is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The department offers scholarships to successful applicants in a wide variety of performance endeavors from orchestral to winds to choral to opera and more.
Southwest Baptist University was established in 1878 and is located in Bolivar, Missouri. With 3600 students, its four campuses seek to live out the mission of preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society through a Christ-centered, caring academic community. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
The Chorale is under the baton of Dr. James R. Tarrant, director of choral studies and professor of music at SBU. Dr. Tarrant earned his Master of Music degree at Eastern Kentucky University in choral conducting and piano, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Memphis. Choirs under his direction have performed across the United States andEurope, including a notable command performance for the Royal Family of the United Kingdom. Dr. Tarrant is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator across Missouri and also directs the university’s chamber vocal ensemble. He currently serves as the organist of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Springfield, Missouri and is a past director of the Missouri Music Men.
The Music Department, part of the Geneva Casebolt College of Music, Arts, and Letters is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The department offers scholarships to successful applicants in a wide variety of performance endeavors from orchestral to winds to choral to opera and more.
Southwest Baptist University was established in 1878 and is located in Bolivar, Missouri. With 3600 students, its four campuses seek to live out the mission of preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society through a Christ-centered, caring academic community. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
ORGANIST MELODY STEED IN CONCERT
The Mid-Town Concert Series, a ministry of Central Christian Church, in partnership with the Springfield Missouri chapter of the American Guild of Organists, presents organist Dr. Melody Turnquist-Steed in concert on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.. Until 2017 Dr. Steed was an Associate Professor of Music, College Organist, and Assistant Academic Dean at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Dr. Steed has performed on regional and national conventions of the AGO and the International Trumpet Guild.
A native Iowan, Melody Turnquist-Steed received degrees in Organ Performance from the University of Northern Iowa, University of Cincinnati, and the University of Southern California. She has studied organ with Marilou Kratzenstein, Jesse Eschbach., Roberta Gary, and Cherry Rhodes.
Until January, 2017, she served as an Associate Professor of Music and Assistant Academic Dean at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she was the director of the Bethany College Core Experience and the Bethany College Handbell Ensemble in addition to her duties as the College Organist.
An active recitalist, Turnquist-Steed has performed at regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the International Trumpet Guild.
Along with trumpeter, Keith Benjamin, she performs as the trumpet/organ duo, Clarion. The duo has recorded two compact discs Clarion, New Music for Trumpet and Organ (1994), and New Vintage (2001) and been featured on the National Public Radio program, Pipe Dreams!.
Dr. Steed was most recently been honored for her service to Bethany College as a 2013 recipient of the Mortvedt Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership.
She currently serves as a Music Specialist in the Waterloo Community School District in Waterloo, Iowa.
A native Iowan, Melody Turnquist-Steed received degrees in Organ Performance from the University of Northern Iowa, University of Cincinnati, and the University of Southern California. She has studied organ with Marilou Kratzenstein, Jesse Eschbach., Roberta Gary, and Cherry Rhodes.
Until January, 2017, she served as an Associate Professor of Music and Assistant Academic Dean at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where she was the director of the Bethany College Core Experience and the Bethany College Handbell Ensemble in addition to her duties as the College Organist.
An active recitalist, Turnquist-Steed has performed at regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the International Trumpet Guild.
Along with trumpeter, Keith Benjamin, she performs as the trumpet/organ duo, Clarion. The duo has recorded two compact discs Clarion, New Music for Trumpet and Organ (1994), and New Vintage (2001) and been featured on the National Public Radio program, Pipe Dreams!.
Dr. Steed was most recently been honored for her service to Bethany College as a 2013 recipient of the Mortvedt Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership.
She currently serves as a Music Specialist in the Waterloo Community School District in Waterloo, Iowa.
Mid-Town Concert Series Calendar
Lots of Events Coming Up...
