One Dozen Alumni Choir Members Lend Voices to Performance
Alumni join Concert Choir as BVU Band and Choirs Conclude Academic Year with Musical Celebration in Schaller Memorial Chapel.
A number of Buena Vista University alumni choir members joined Christopher Phalen, Director of Choral Activities, and the BVU Concert Choir in two selections that culminated a popular “In Meeting We Are Blessed” concert by band and choir ensembles to help celebrate and round out the academic and performance year.
“We are so blessed to have alumni who are willing and eager to lend us their enthusiasm, talent, and voices in performing for the community,” Phalen said as alumni choir members joined students in a rehearsal before a concert that played out to a sizeable crowd in Schaller Memorial Chapel on April 23. “We can’t begin to tell you how thrilled we are to have you here with us!”
A special member of the Alumni Choir on this day was 1992 BVU graduate Dave Phalen, the father of the conductor. He received a hearty cheer from members of the Concert Choir upon his introduction.
The band and choir concert also featured vocal selections performed by the Vista Chamber Singers and the Tour Choir, which has performances slated during its “American Celebration of Music in Ireland & Scotland” May 15-24. The effort marks the first wide-scale tour by a BVU performing entity since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Every small step we take together—and certainly big steps like an international tour—illustrate how we keep growing as a program,” said Phalen, who counted 58 student voices among the Concert Choir. “The excitement among our singers is palpable.”
Members of the Alumni Choir joining the Concert Choir for “There’s Gonna Be a Homecomin’” and the “Alma Mater” included: Alyssa (Kragelund) Petersen ’18, Joellen (Tackett) Jenson ’09, Al Buckingham ’74, Kathi (Beving) Buckingham ’75, Tricia Rosendahl ’94, Corgan Petersen ’20 (Interim Director of Bands), Kayla (Shadlow) Hernandez ’15, Matthew Jenson, Taylor Raibikis ’23, Cory Germain ’94, Dave Phalen ’92, and Daniel Meissner.