NEWS

MSU Chorale students excited to perform at presidential inauguration

Harrison Keegan
HKEEGAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Missouri State University senior Ruthie Carter rarely calls her mom during the day.

Ruthie Carter, a senior and member of the Missouri State University Chorale, talks about the group's upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. to perform in the 58th presidential inauguration.

Carter's mother is a first-grade teacher in St. Louis, so calls in the middle of the day are usually reserved for emergencies.

On Oct. 7, however, Carter made an exception after learning she and the rest of the MSU Chorale would be performing at the 2017 U.S. presidential inauguration.

"I had to tell her," Carter said. "It was just huge news."

Carter's mother was both relieved nothing was wrong and excited about her daughter's once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

On Jan. 20, millions of people — including a first-grade class in St. Louis — will tune in to watch the MSU Chorale as it performs during the inauguration ceremony for President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

Carter and other members of the chorale held a news conference Monday at the Meyer Alumni Center. They said they are excited for the upcoming trip.

Cameron LaBarr, left, director of choral studies at Missouri State University, talks about the chorale group's upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. to perform in the 58th presidential inauguration.

Cameron LaBarr, director of the chorale, said the 50-person ensemble from MSU will perform an original song titled "Now We Belong," with lyrics by poet Michael Dennis Browne and music composed by John Wykoff. The chorale performance is expected to happen toward the beginning of the ceremony.

"It’s a great chance for us to perform for a wide audience, from all different parts of the world," LaBarr said. "We get to share a great message with a lot of different people."

In October, the MSU Chorale accepted an invitation from Senator Roy Blunt to perform at the 2017 U.S. presidential inauguration. Blunt is the chairman of the Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

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November's presidential election was a contentious one, but LaBarr emphasized Monday the MSU Chorale has a "nonpartisan role in this ceremony" and would be performing regardless of who was elected president.

"This really, for all performers, is a chance to celebrate the presidency," LaBarr said. "This is a chance for us to come together as a nation and to be a part of the peaceful transition of power, something that is revered all around the world."

Eric Swanson, a senior who performs with the MSU Chorale, said he is excited to make his first trip to Washington, D.C. later this month.

Eric Swanson, second from right, a senior and member of the Missouri State University Chorale, talks about the group's upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. to perform in the 58th presidential inauguration. Also pictured are, from left, Cameron LaBarr, director of choral studies, Ruthie Carter, senior at MSU, and Chandler Cooper, right, junior at MSU.

Swanson said he is most looking forward to sharing the experience with the other members of the chorale.

"I can't even imagine what it's going to be like," Swanson said.

Chandler Cooper, a junior who performs with the MSU Chorale, said this will be his first time visiting Washington, D.C. since he took a trip there in eighth grade.

"I don’t think it will really all sink in until we are there and looking out at all of those people," Cooper said. "But at the end of the day, this is what we do. This is what we love doing, so I think that will help with any nerves."

Chandler Cooper, a junior and member of the Missouri State University Chorale, talks about the group's upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. to perform in the 58th presidential inauguration.

The MSU Chorale, which will travel by plane, is also scheduled to perform at a church in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21.

Springfield residents hoping to catch the MSU Chorale before it leaves town are invited to attend a concert Saturday at 6 p.m. at MSU's Welcome Center.

There will also be a watch party for the inauguration Jan. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at MSU's Plaster Student Union Theater.

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