WE REHEARSE AT 6:30PM ON THURSDAYS (except for holidays)
WILLMAR COMMUNITY CENTER
624 US-71 BUS, Willmar, MN 56201 (across from Robbins Island)
Here's a recent article about our Fall 2023 Concert, "A Sweet Slice of Gratitude"
posted on Wednesday, November 15 on the
West Central Tribune Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/westcentraltribune/
WCS is an adult mixed chorus based in Willmar, MN with members from Willmar and the surrounding communities under the direction of Ms. Naomi Powers-Baker.
WEST CENTRAL SINGERS has been singing together since 2001. Members are given the opportunity to use their vocal talents by rehearsing and performing a wide variety of rich SATB choral selections. The choir presents two concerts a year. Rehearsals begin in September for a late fall concert and then again in January for our spring performance. Typically two concerts are performed each season. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings in the main room of the Willmar Community Center (located on Business 71/North First Street, across from Robbins Island). Dues for the group are $30 per singer per season and are used to offset the cost of music. Anyone with a passion for music, harmony and the rich tradition of choral music is welcome to join the group for a fulfilling, fun and rewarding experience.
VIDEO
If you'd like see and hear us, but don't want to wait for our next concert, please check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/westcentralsingers/videos/735438036635936/
where you'll be able to click on our 2017/2018 video, which we were able to produce with the help of a grant from Southwest Minnesota Arts Council grant.
About the West Central Singers
Mission: The mission of the West Central Singers is to provide an opportunity to explore and experience the depth and power of choral music, both for those with a passion to sing, and for those who are enriched simply by listening. We are dedicated to performing a wide variety of music as a means of fostering a true appreciation for the long-standing tradition of choral music.
History: The West Central Singers originated in January, 2001 when director, Rolf Anderson formed the group. He said that he always wanted to form a community choral group that performed concerts with more of an emphasis on a theme and also involved local talented instrumentalists. Over the next few years the group performed many concerts, most featuring guest artists, performed at the St. Paul Cathedral for an afternoon mass and sang the National Anthem from the pitcher’s mound at the Metrodome prior to a Minnesota Twins baseball game.
West Central Singers became known for doing a wide variety of music, from concerts featuring Broadway music and Show tunes, Folk music, Pop favorites and classic choral music.
In 2004 Rolf Anderson retired and Dr. Chet Sommers, who had sung with the group took over the direction of the West Central Singers. The group continued performing two concerts per year with a December concert featuring Christmas selections and another concert in the spring. Chet retired in 2009.
At that time, the board of directors for the group set out on the task of selecting a new director. John Jahr accepted the position and directed from September 2009 through May 2018. Under John’s direction the West Central Singers performed some very challenging music as well as some fun pop music.
In 2012, the West Central Singers were selected to perform as part of a mass choir at Carnegie Hall. After submitting an audition and being selected, a group of singers made the trip to New York City and enjoyed the experience of performing in the legendary venue. Everyone that made the trip acknowledges that it was a thrilling experience. And thrilling it was again, as the group performed in Carnegie Hall a second time in February 2014
John Jahr left the group in 2018 to take on a new position and directorships in North Carolina. So, following extensive interviews of a number of highly qualified candidates, the board hired a new director, Naomi Powers Baker.
The world was thrown into a whirlwind less than a year after Naomi started her directorship by CoVid, a highly contagious respiratory disease. The worldwide pandemic forced West Central Singers to temporarily disband as the respiratory infection proved to be potentially deadly in group settings, especially in choral settings. Naomi and the board made efforts to keep in touch with members during the ensuing months and members were surveyed several times before starting rehearsals again in the fall of 2022.
Rehearsals resumed in late August 2022 with preparations for a holiday concert in early December.
Past Directors:
John D. Jahr directed the West Central Singers from the fall of 2009 through the spring season of 2018, while also serving as the Director of Worship and Music for Vinje Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Willmar, MN. John received his undergraduate degree in Music from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he studied choral conducting with Rene Clausen; he also earned the Master of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary, where he studied with Robert Sholz, John Ferguson and Anton Armstrong. John is a certified children’s choir director through Choristers Guild Institute, and serves on the faculty of the Leadership Program for Musicians. John has served congregations in Fargo, ND; Columbia Heights, MN; and Dallas TX.
Chet Sommers holds Bachelor's, Masters, and Doctorate Degrees in Music, is a retired professor in the music programs at Ridgewater College, Willmar, spent many years also as a piano technician, and directed the WCSingers for three years.
Rolf Anderson is this groups founder and a retired Choir Director, Willmar Senior High School.
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