MU Concert Choir Provides Special Concert

While traveling to Ohio to participate in the World Choir Games in July, the Mansfield University Concert Choir participated in a special concert arranged by MU alum Dr. Michelle Edwards Conda '77 and her husband Robert.  On Thursday, July 5th, 2012, Dr. Peggy Dettwiler led the MU Concert Choir in a special summer performance on the St. Catharine Church "Siena Series".  Normally a concert series of 4 programs offered between September-May, the organizers wanted to provide an opportunity for their audience to experience a World Choir Games (WCG) choir in the comfort of their own neighborhood so this concert was added to the series.  The MU Concert Choir program was attended by many folks who didn't venture to downtown Cincinnati to experience the Games firsthand. In fact, the audience was one of the largest in Siena Series history. The choir gave a well- received performance of their WCG repertoire, and even 2 months after their visit Bob Conda is still hearing rave reviews from folks who were in attendance.

After the 7:00 pm performance, the members of the choir and the MU traveling party were treated to a cook-out in the school's courtyard. Michelle wanted to give the choir a "taste of Cincinnati", so in addition to the traditional fare of hot dogs and hamburgers, the menu included brats and metts, Cincinnati style chili, goetta , and for dessert, Graeter's ice cream. They choir also had a chance to play Cornhole.

An invitation was extended to all Cincinnati area MU alumni and several attended both the concert and cookout, including Cincinnati resident/UC-CCM music professor Michelle Edwards Conda '77, and Jane Chapman Christensen '78 who traveled from Lockport, NY with her husband Mark.

In addition, Bob Todd '66 made several special contributions. He treated all the guests to chocolate covered Macadamia nuts from his current home state of Hawaii, and also made a generous donation that covered the meal expenses for the entire MU traveling party.