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Seven Evangel musicians selected for Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra

Published on Feb 7, 2017 by Paul K. Logsdon

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Seven Evangel University music students were chosen to perform with the prestigious Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra at the Missouri Music Educators Conference, Jan. 25-28 at the Tan-Tar-A resort.

The All-Collegiate Orchestra convenes every 4 years and is composed of Missouri’s most talented collegiate musicians.

“We were especially pleased that two of our Evangel students were placed in leadership roles within the ensemble,” said Dr. Larry Dissmore, professor of music at EU.

James (Luke) Thomas, a senior music performance major from Republic, Mo., was selected as the concertmaster of the orchestra; and Matthew Pavon, a sophomore music education major from Rogers, Ark., won the assistant principal viola chair.

Also performing with the group were:  Kalise Garner, a sophomore from Rolla, Mo., in the 3rd horn position; Leianna Cantrell, a freshman from Springfield, Mo., in the 2nd violin section; Alisha Graham, a sophomore Fairbanks, Alaska, in the 2nd violin section; and Ricky Tatum, a sophomore from Houston, Texas, in the bass section.

The seventh student, sophomore Michelle Kelly from Norwood, Mo., was unable to participate due to illness.

Members of the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra are selected on the basis of audition and the recommendation of their directors.

“The 93 students who made up the 2017 All-Collegiate Orchestra represented 14 colleges and universities located throughout Missouri,” said Dissmore. “Rehearsals began on Wednesday evening, January 25 and culminated with a concert on Friday evening, January 27.”

The conductor for the 2017 All-Collegiate Orchestra was Maestro Larry Livingston. Maestro Livingston is a distinguished conductor, music educator and motivational speaker. He currently serves on the faculty of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

The Department of Music at Evangel University offers majors in music education, music performance, music business, recording technology and worship leadership. The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the Missouri Association of Departments & Schools of Music.

For more information, visit www.evangel.edu or contact the Evangel University Music Department at (417) 865-2811, ext. 7212.

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