Wichita State University’s choirs will perform with renowned composer and conductor Z. Randall Stroope, who will be on campus for two days of master classes with the WSU A Cappella Choir, Women’s Glee, Madrigal Singers and Concert Chorale before their performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Wiedemann Hall. Faculty artist soprano Emily Sterfeld-Dunn will also perform.
Tickets are $7 with discounts available through the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233 or www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice.
During the concert, Stroope, an internationally recognized composer and choral conductor, will share his inspiration for the various compositions as well as provide insights for the listener about the nature of his work. Stroope will also conduct the combined choirs in their final selections.
“It is a rare opportunity to hear the designer of the music put his voice in with the performers,” said WSU choir director and professor Tom Wine.
The master classes by Stroope are open to the public. They are:
Monday, Feb. 18
--10:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. room C-107 Duerksen Fine Arts Center (DFAC), secondary methods class on the music business with information on publishing and commissions
--12:30-2:20 p.m. Wiedemann Hall, A Cappella Choir and Madrigal Singers rehearsal
--3:30-4:30 p.m. room C-107 DFAC, theory/composition session
Tuesday, Feb. 19
--9:30-10:20 a.m. room C-116 DFAC, theory class
--12:30-1:20 p.m. Wiedemann Hall, Concert Chorale rehearsal
--1:30-2:20 p.m. room C-107 DFAC, master class with student conductors
--2:30-3:20 p.m. Wiedemann Hall, Women's Glee rehearsal
--7:30 p.m. concert, Wiedemann Hall
Stroope is one of the most active choral conductors and composers working today, conducting recently at the American School in Singapore, Canterbury Cathedral (England), Berliner Dom (Germany), Salzburger Dom (Austria), Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and National Presbyterian Cathedral (Washington, D.C.), Carnegie Hall (New York), and four performances at the Vatican in the past three years.
As a composer, Stroope has published 125 musical works (instrumental, solo voice and choral). He is the director of choral and vocal studies at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he conducts the OSU Concert Chorale, Chamber Choir and Women’s Chorus.