History of the Chorale
The Nodaway Chorale evolved from the nucleus of an Ecumenical Chorus brought together annually to present “Lessons and Carols” Advent services at a local area church. In the fall of 2005, Michael Phillips was asked to prepare and conduct the music for this annual Advent service which he did in the Christmas seasons of 2005 and 2006. Each time the group came together there was always prompting from some of the participants to start a community chorus.
Research by Michael Phillips indicated that many smaller cities had successful community choruses. An ad hoc committee was formed in the spring of 2006 for the purpose of creating a non-profit, non-denominational, non-auditioned community chorus in the city of Maryville that would service all northwest Missouri and the Maryville area in particular.
The first concert occurred in early June of 2006 at the Northwest Missouri State University bi-annual “Chautauqua” event. The chorale presented a patriotic collection of choral music and led a 30- minute Community Sing that was very well received. The fall concert of 2006 was a “concert” performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado.” The cast included voice faculty members from the University and singers from Kansas City Lyric Opera. The musical was presented in the style of a “Noh Play” with everyone dressed totally in black and stylized Kabuki makeup, the show was a great success and attended by an audience of more than 200.
The first concert of the 2008-2009 concert series was a joint concert with the NWMSU Wind Symphony under the direction of Carl Kling, a member of the university music faculty. The second concert of the fall was a Dessert Concert designed as a fundraiser, where the members of the Chorale prepared delicious desserts and gave a concert and sing-along.. The Chorale presented its first annual Christmas Concert for the community in December 2008 at the First Methodist Church of Maryville. The Spring 2009 concert was a presentation of Joachimo Rossini’s “Petite Messe Solennelle” at Charles Johnson Theater on the Northwest Missouri State University Campus.
The first concert of the 2009-2010 concert series was “From Camelot to Spamalot”, a concert of Broadway show tunes presented at the Maryville First Christian Church. The Chorale presented its second annual Christmas Concert for the community in December at the Methodist Church of Maryville. The spring 2010 concert was John Rutter’s Requiem with professional instrumental accompaniment held at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church in Maryville.
Highlights of the 2010-2011 season were a concert presentation from the musical “Brigadoon”, the annual Christmas concert in December, and a sing-along presentation of Handel’s “ Messiah” with orchestra in the Spring.
In succeeding years, the Chorale has continued the tradition of an Annual Holiday Concert in December and a Spring Concert, each year with a variety of themes and musical genres.
The Chorale has also sung in several special performances and venues including a presentation of the Faure Requiem at the Abbey in Conception Junction, Missouri, and singing/leading the National Anthem at sporting events in the community and at Northwest Missouri State University.