SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Evangel University Music Department will perform a concert for special guests from The Arc of the Ozarks on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Barnett Fine Arts Recital Hall.
The performance is free and open to the public.
“Some of our students went over before Christmas and performed for them,” said Dr. Michael Kolstad, music department chairman. “This gives our students an opportunity to connect with the community.”
“The Arc of the Ozarks’ mission is to support individuals with disabilities in directing their own lives as valued members of the community,” said Erin Kinzinger, program coordinator at The Arc of the Ozarks.
“They have many avenues to accomplish this, one of them being CounterPoint’s Therapeutic Recreation Program. Their building is located directly behind Evangel, and several participants in the program had commented to me that they heard music they liked when Evangel’s marching band was practicing outside. Nonverbal clients indicated that they enjoyed the music by rocking, clapping and dancing.”
The event will include performances by the Evangel University Jazz Combo, two piano students, two percussionists and one vocalist.
“This event will be special to those participating because it is a chance to be accepted as members of their community and a chance to enjoy music through an avenue that is not always available to them,” Kinzinger said. “For the staff, the event will be special in that not only do they get to appreciate the music, but they get to be part of a day that is extraordinary for the individuals they serve.”
“We are excited to perform for our friends at The Arc of the Ozarks. I’m hoping that this will lead to more opportunities in the future,” said Kolstad.
Evangel University is a private, Christian university of arts, sciences and professions. With an enrollment of more than 2,000 students from all 50 states and abroad, Evangel offers more than 100 undergraduate academic programs and nine master’s programs.