Western Michigan University’s University Chorale will present a concert in Kalamazoo’s Milwood United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16. Under the direction of Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams, the program will be a farewell concert just before the Chorale leaves for Northern Europe and a tour of the Baltic States. Adams has this to say about the tour, “I’m thrilled that the students in the University Chorale have the opportunity to travel to one of the world’s most famous hubs of choral music. While we have read articles and dissertations, watched documentaries, and learned how to sing in Lithuanian and Latvian – there is nothing like the opportunity to experience this rich choral culture in person.” Tour performances and cultural exchanges are scheduled in Birstonas, Kaunas, and Villnius, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Tallinn, Estonia. 

The University Chorale is Western Michigan University’s flagship choral ensemble. As a regional and international representative of the University, the Chorale became the first choir from the United States to receive the grand prize at the Robert Schumann International Choral Competition (2002). The ensemble presented three solo performances at the 2003 ACDA National Convention in New York City, and was featured on the opening concert of the 2004 Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.

More recently, under the direction of Dunn Adams, the University Chorale received second place nationally in the 2013 American Prize. In 2014, Chorale premiered Paul Lansky’s composition, Contemplating Weather, and recorded the piece for Bridge Records. During the last academic year, Chorale performed at the Michigan ACDA State Convention, the Michigan Music Conference, and the ACDA Regional Conference in Chicago.

Barrier-free Milwood United Methodist is located at 3919 Portage Street in Kalamazoo 49001.

The program is open to the public free of charge. A free will offering will be received.