University Chorale to perform Nov. 13 under direction of dean

As the University Chorale prepares for its fall concert, a Northwest Missouri State University dean is now conducting the choral group that helped spark her love for music education.

The University Chorale will perform its first concert of 2025-26 at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. The performance is free and open to the public.

Dr. Elise Hepworth, the dean of the College of Arts, Communication and Social Sciences at Northwest, began conducting the choir this fall, accepting an invitation from music faculty to take on the role.

The position allows Hepworth to foster deeper connections with students and others through a unique leadership role.

“I love our students,” Hepworth said. “As dean for the College of Arts, Communication and Social Sciences, this provides me the opportunity to stay connected with real challenges, issues and celebrate our Bearcat experience on a regular basis. They are brilliant individuals, and we have the most fun together during rehearsals. I am so proud to be a part of the Northwest family.”

The Chorale will sing a range of music genres and styles, including “Sing Praises,” a 1960s sacred choral style song; “Oh My Love’s Like a Red, Red, Rose,” an American secular piece; “The Lady in the Water,” by Eric William Barnum; “Ride the Chariot,” a traditional southern spiritual-style selection; “The Music of Living,” representing sacred American songs; and “Let Everything that Have Breath,” a gospel piece.

Dr. Elise Hepworth leads the University Chorale through a rehearsal in Northwest's Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. (Photo by Lilly Cook/Northwest Missouri State University)

Hepworth is excited to work directly with students again after being a music educator for many years. Before being named a dean at Northwest in 2024, she was a member of the music faculty at Missouri Western University and Wayne State College in Nebraska. She has also served as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician for numerous choral groups throughout the region.

“It feels like coming home,” said Hepworth, who is also a Northwest alumna. “It brings me great joy and satisfaction to learn from students. I gain as much from classroom interactions as the students do. I have the opportunity to continuously grow and learn from their insights, challenges and perspectives.”

Hepworth earned her bachelor’s degree in music education at Northwest in 2000. She was involved in Alpha Sigma Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tower Choir, Celebration show choir, University Chorale and Wind Symphony. In 2009, she received the Northwest Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Award.

“My experiences as a student at Northwest changed my life,” Hepworth said. “Being a part of a sorority, a professional music fraternity for women and four amazing music ensembles provided me opportunity to learn more about myself, interact with people from all over the world, think critically and build soft skills which I still use today.”

The University Chorale is open to all students on campus as well as community members. It presents one concert each semester, and its repertoire ranges from classical to gospel and contemporary to Broadway. It is Northwest’s largest choral ensemble and provides an opportunity for everyone to experience the joy of vocal music. There is no audition requirement for membership.

The group allows for novice and advanced singers to explore their own voices and become better musicians through special vocal techniques, styles and music literacy strategies.

“We encourage people to attend this concert because it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate vocal music with students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences,” Hepworth said. “Additionally, it is a chance for students to check out the ensemble – especially if they used to sing in high school. The ensemble is welcoming and warm, as students have connected and developed deep relationships with other individuals who are not in their major discipline.”