NW Missouri Times

As the fall concert season approaches, Northwest Missouri State University's University Chorale is preparing for its first performance of the 2025-26 academic year. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Charles Johnson Theater in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. Admission is free and open to the public.

This year, Dr. Elise Hepworth, dean of the College of Arts, Communication and Social Sciences at Northwest, has taken on the role of conductor for the ensemble. Hepworth accepted an invitation from music faculty to lead the choir this fall.

“I love our students,” Hepworth said. “As dean for the College of Arts, Communication and Social Sciences, this provides me the opportunity to stay connected with real challenges, issues and celebrate our Bearcat experience on a regular basis. They are brilliant individuals, and we have the most fun together during rehearsals. I am so proud to be a part of the Northwest family.”

The upcoming concert will feature a variety of musical selections across genres and styles. Pieces include “Sing Praises,” “Oh My Love’s Like a Red, Red, Rose,” “The Lady in the Water” by Eric William Barnum, “Ride the Chariot,” “The Music of Living,” and “Let Everything that Have Breath.”

Hepworth expressed enthusiasm about working closely with students again after years as a music educator at other institutions such as Missouri Western University and Wayne State College in Nebraska. She has also worked as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for choral groups throughout the region.

“It feels like coming home,” said Hepworth, who is also a Northwest alumna. “It brings me great joy and satisfaction to learn from students. I gain as much from classroom interactions as the students do. I have the opportunity to continuously grow and learn from their insights, challenges and perspectives.”

Hepworth graduated from Northwest in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in music education and was active in various campus organizations including Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota professional music fraternity for women, Tower Choir, Celebration show choir, University Chorale, and Wind Symphony. In 2009 she received the Northwest Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Award.

“My experiences as a student at Northwest changed my life,” Hepworth said. “Being a part of a sorority, a professional music fraternity for women and four amazing music ensembles provided me opportunity to learn more about myself, interact with people from all over the world, think critically and build soft skills which I still use today.”

The University Chorale performs one concert each semester with repertoire ranging from classical to gospel to contemporary Broadway pieces. As Northwest’s largest choral ensemble with no audition requirement for membership, it offers both novice and advanced singers opportunities to develop their vocal abilities through varied techniques and strategies.

“We encourage people to attend this concert because it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate vocal music with students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences,” Hepworth said. “Additionally, it is a chance for students to check out the ensemble – especially if they used to sing in high school. The ensemble is welcoming and warm, as students have connected and developed deep relationships with other individuals who are not in their major discipline.”