"American Dreammaker Award" from Habitat for Humanity for Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City

Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City's director, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, holds

"The American Dreammaker Award"

For five years, the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City has partnered with Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity (THHFH)to raise funds to place underprivileged people into affordable housing. At the 9^th Annual American Dream Gala on August 20, 2011, The Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City (MCC-Blue River’s choir) was presented with the “American Dreammaker Award” for helping THHFH  promote their mission in Eastern Jackson County and beyond.

The first HardHats for Habitat Concert was held in March of 2007 and for five years, including April 2011, the concert has been performed at Woods Chapel Church under the direction of Dr. Rebecca Johnson and Artistic Director Sarah Tyrrell. In that time, the chorale has raised over $22,000.00 for THHFH, and this year’s concert raised an unprecedented amount for the organization. After the event, Executive Director of THHFH, Pat Turner, told MCC-Blue River, “Thank you all so much for your wonderful

$6,796.50 raised by MCC-Blue River’s Metroplitan Chorale of Kansas City for Habitat for Humanity

Hardhats for Habitat, the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City’s annual benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity, raised an unprecedented amount for the organization this past weekend.

The executive director of Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity, Pat Turner, said to the MCC-Blue River event organizers and participnts, “Thank you all so much for your wonderful contribution to the Hardhats for Habitat fundraising event held last Saturday. You will be very pleased to know that the concert raised a grand total of  $6,796.50. . . . You have given us a jump start into the next year, thank you, thank you and thank you for all that you are doing and continue to do for this ministry.”

This single event raised enough money to supply nails for thirteen

Metropolitan Chorale aids Habitat for Humanity with “edgy” Mark Twain barbershop concert

Habitat for Humanity will get a boost from the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City’s “Hardhats for Habitat” show for the fifth year in a row at the choir’s April 30, 2011 performance. Last year’s event raised nearly $4,000.00 for Habitat for Humanity, and over the past four years the Metropolitan Chorale has donated over $15,000.00 to the charity. This year the choir will be teaming up with the MCC-Blue River Student Ambassadors to undertake the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home as well.

The benefit concert will feature the barbershop stylings of the vocal group Central Standard, and the narrator will be an irascible Mark Twain, played by Kansas City radio personality Dick Wilson from 94.9 KCMO. Each year

Open invitation, MCC-Blue River Voice Master Class

Anyone in the community who is interested in improving their singing voice or just taking in a light performance by well trained vocal students is welcome to attend the MCC-Blue River Voice Master Class from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16. Experienced tenor and UMKC Conservatory of Music professor Robin Griffeath will be on hand to critique student performances in regards to posture and body usage.



Robin Griffeath, tenor



Robin Griffeath is a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri-Kansas City whom holds a B.M. in vocal performance from Lawrence University and an M.M. in vocal performance from the University of Arizona. Mr. Griffeath recently performed the roles of Ferrando in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, Gherardo in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Fenton in Verdi's Falstaff, and Nanki Poo in Gilbert and

MCC-Blue River holiday performance a success

On Saturday, Dec. 11, MCC-Blue River's Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City performed at the First Baptist Church in Independence, Mo.

Don Reimal, the mayor of Independence, and his wife attended the performance, as did good old St. Nick.

Chorale conductor, Rebecca Johnson, describes the evening as "a lovely and peaceful interlude in the holiday season."

The chorale will perform again in the spring. Mark you calendars for April 30, 2011.

More details on the Chorale's website at http://mcckc.edu/blueriver/humanities/music/index.html.

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Other articles featuring the Metropolitan Chorale:

"Rediscover the Magic..."

"Around Town..."

"A Brand New Season..."

Re-Discover the Magic of the Holidays with MCC-Blue River

It may be chilly outside, but MCC-Blue River’s Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City will warm your heart with their “Customs and Carols” performance at the First Baptist Church in Independence, Missouri.

Don’t miss stellar performances by:

• Vox Luminese (entire ensemble)
• Met Pops (the Chorale’s pops group)
• MCC-Blue River's Jazz band (conducted by Clarence Smith)

The chorale has held holiday performances at this venue for several years. Also, after the performance, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies in the venue’s Historic Hall.

Dec. 11, 2010 is the performance date. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 500 Truman Road, Independence, Mo. The cost is $6 for adults and only $4 for children and seniors.

The MCC-Blue River Chorale around town

MCC-Blue River spreads Christmas spirit around Kansas City!

Recently, a small group of the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City performed at a local Christmas party in the Longview Mansion in Kansas City, Missouri.

Upcoming Performance

The next scheduled performance is Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 500 Truman Road in Indepenence. Addmission for adults is $6 and children and seniors are admitted for $4.

For more information about the Chorale, click here.

A brand new musical season with the chorale

The Metropolitan Chorale, conducted by MCC-Blue River’s own Dr. Rebecca Johnson, is gearing up for a brand new season of the melodic and harmonious musical delight!

The next Chorale performance is Oct. 23, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. They will be at the Community of Christ Temple at 1001 W. Walnut in Independence, Mo. A freewill offering will be taken for that performance.

Vox Luminese will also perform Nov. 14 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church located at 1207 Holmes, Kansas City, Mo. This performance will be $6.00 for adults and just $4.00 for seniors and children.

Learn more about MCC-Blue River's esteemed Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City on the MCC website.

Inaugural MCC Gala a Success

The goal of this year’s MCC Five Star Gala was to honor Henry Bloch and raise funds to help support MCC students in providing scholarships, emergency book funds, and special educational programs. On both fronts, the gala was a success.

Over 400 guests attended, raising $160,000, of which approximately $40,000 will go towards scholarships and programs. The event also honored Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, for his foundation’s efforts in establishing the Bloch Scholars Program at MCC.

The event was emceed by Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, and entertainment was provided by the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City. A light show highlighted the event on the side of the Marriott on 12th Street and an illuminated blue MCC ice sculpture was a lobby centerpiece. MCC alumni and Henry W. Bloch Scholars greeted and thanked guests for their support.

The Chorale, directed by Dr. Rebecca Johnson, includes the ensemble group Vox Luminese. They performed four numbers, including the world premiere of Spirit of Saints, written by award winning composer-in-residence, Ryan Main. Main presented Mr. Bloch with the sheet music as a special gift from the Bloch Scholars and MCC.

Guests enjoyed a video presentation of the history of MCC, and heard personal stories from past and current Bloch Scholars. The Bloch Scholars later joined Mr. Bloch on stage when he was presented the Five Star award, specially-designed and donated by artist Rita Blitt.