Rouse Selected For CMU Chorale

2017 Aug 24

Central Methodist University student Taylor Rouse, from Columbia, Mo., was selected to be a member of CMU's choral group, Chorale. Members arrived on campus Aug. 14, and began practicing for their many music performances for their 2017-18 season.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, they gave their first concert, an impromptu appearance for President Roger Drake. An impressed and appreciative audience gathered to laud what they had created after just three days of rehearsal as a vocal group of 30 members.

The Chorale is conducted by Dr. Claude Westfall, CMU associate professor of music and director of choral activities, who has held the baton since 2008. In the last two years, the Chorale has expanded their performances from campus and a fall tour to additional spring tours, first in Portland in 2016 then Washington, D.C. in 2017.

This year the docket includes a spring tour to New Orleans, La., with the support of CMU alumnus Earl Bates (Class of 1961) and his wife, Sunny.

Performances this semester include two concerts on campus, Oct. 29 and Dec. 3, and the Chorale's annual Fall Tour in the central and eastern sections of Missouri, Nov. 16 - Nov. 21.

Rouse is a senior music major at CMU.