Central College’s A Cappella Choir/Chamber Singers Spring Tour

Central College’s A Cappella Choir/Chamber Singers

PELLA, Iowa — Central College’s A Cappella Choir, as well as Chamber Sings, will kick off their spring tour in March, touring throughout the Midwest. For a complete list of tour dates and locations, see below.

Central College A Cappella Choir is a select 60-plus member ensemble. The choir has gained a reputation for choral excellence and variety in its programming. They perform regularly on and off campus. Each year includes a major tour with an international tour every fourth year. Two years ago, they performed a two-week tour in major basilicas and cathedrals throughout Italy.

The Chamber Singers are a 16-select person vocal group who also are members of the A Cappella Choir.

Mark Babcock, associate professor of music, is director. He received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Central College and holds a master’s degree in choral conducting and organ performance from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. He also has completed significant doctoral study in organ and choral conducting at the University of Iowa. He is in his 12th year of teaching at Central and is chair of the music department. In 2005, he was awarded Organist of Iowa.

Davis Folkerts, professor emeritus of music, will accompany the choirs. Folkerts received a bachelor’s degree from Central College and earned a Master’s of Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He pursued studies at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Jersey to further prepare him for church music and completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in organ pedagogy and performance from the University of Iowa. Folkerts was on the faculty at Central for over 30 years, retiring in 1999.

Central College is a private, coeducational, four-year, residential liberal arts college in Pella, Iowa, offering 39 majors along with pre-professional programs and advising. Central was recognized in the 2011 U.S.News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. Central’s study abroad program was included in the programs to look for section. More information about Central College is available by calling 877-462-3687, or online at www.central.edu.

Friday, March 11

United Methodist Church, 108 Southwest 5th St., Greenfield, Iowa, at 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, March 13

Ladue Chapel, 9450 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, Mo., at 11 a.m.

Monday, March 14

Kinsmen Lutheran Church, 12100 Champion Forest Dr., Houston, Texas, at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 15

First United Methodist Church, 330 N. Broadway St., Wichita, Kan., at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 17

First Presbyterian Church, 201 S. High St., Kirksville, Mo., at 7:30 p.m.