11/02/07The Artist and Lecture Series will continue as the Kansas City Chorale is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. at Baldwin First United Methodist Church Thursday.
This will be the semi-professional vocal ensemble’s first performance at Baker University.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them,” senior Jessica Lenhart said. “I haven’t seen them before, and I don’t know what to expect.”
Susan Buehler, director of the Artist and Lecture series, said the pieces would vary from contemporary to time honored. The director, Charles Bruffy, likes to use more modern composers in his performances.
“I was asked about the crowd,” Buehler said. “They will try to please everybody.”
John Buehler, chair of the music department, said he is really excited to see this group perform.
“Not only are they going to be here, they are close to us in many ways,” he said. “It will be a wonderful concert, no question.”
Bruffy, an internationally recognized director, holds an honorary doctorate degree from Baker.
John Buehler, who sang with the Chorale when it started in the early ’80s, said Bruffy has elevated the Kansas City Chorale to tremendously high levels.
“Bruffy is one of the most charismatic individuals you will ever meet,” Susan Buehler said.
The Buehlers are season ticket holders for the Chorale’s concerts in its Kansas City venues and know what to expect from the group of 12 men and 12 women vocalists.
“They have a very sensitive and very aesthetically pleasing approach to performances,” Susan Buehler said.
She said the group prefers to perform at venues with excellent acoustic structure.
“The church is a fine space for them to sing,” she said.
Junior Trevor Racine is looking forward to the Chorale’s performance.
“They are one of the most premier groups,” he said. “It will be a priceless opportunity to experience chorale culture at its best.”
“Eternal Rest” and “Passion Week” are the newest albums released by the group. The group released five albums in the ’90s and “Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works” will be released Tuesday.
Lenhart had not heard much about the group before they were scheduled to perform at the Artist and Lecture series, so she visited the Web site at http://www.kcchorale.org and became impressed by the Chorale.
“They are a very distinguished group as far as Midwest chorales are concerned,” she said. “It is exciting to see talent that is close to us.”
Susan Buehler said she invited several area high schools to the concert and offered them discount ticket prices.
“I encourage everyone to attend,” she said. “It will be a very enjoyable and entertaining evening.”
Admission is free for Baker students. Adult tickets are $25 and youth tickets are $15.