Join us for a Holiday Concert with the Missoula Community Chorus

SEELEY LAKE - Alpine Artisans and 2 Valleys Stage will be bringing the 80 member Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Ron Wilcott, to Seeley-Swan High School auditorium Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. for beautiful selections from chorale favorites.

The Community Chorus is based on "inspiring community through music." To accomplish that goal they see the group empowering individuals through a pursuit of excellence in great choral music, as a community where persons of all ages, cultural heritages, financial circumstances and musical ability are welcome and as a community where all can feel nurtured and musically enriched. They also see their role as inspiring community through joint projects with other local music, arts and non-profit organizations.

The Missoula Community Chorus was founded to provide an educational, cultural and recreational resource for anyone interested in singing and performing a wide range of great music. They promote universal participation and remain open to all interested people, willing to make a personal commitment to quality musicianship so that local audiences can enjoy high quality performances.

The group is lead by Dr. Ron Wilcott, Artistic Director/Conductor, who moved to Missoula with his family in 1999 to retire. Retirement seemed elusive until June of 2015 when he retired from teaching band, orchestra and choir at Loyola Sacred Heart High School. The previous year he retired from the position of Coordinator of Music at University Congregational Church. However, he plans on conducting the Missoula Community Chorus for years to come!

Dr. Wilcott holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music from Michigan State University and Bachelor's and Master's degrees in voice from the University of Southern California. Dr. Wilcott has served as a choral adjudicator and clinician. He has frequently presented interest sessions in music education, choral and church music at professional conferences. He served as co-conductor for the Missoula Youth Choir for the Missoula International Choral Festival in 2003, 2006 and 2009.

Jenny Skrivseth is the Associate Conductor and Assistant Chorus Manager and has been the choir director at Loyola Sacred Heart High School for the past two years. Prior to that, she taught choir at Meadow Hill Middle School and general music to students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade at Russell Elementary School and Washington Middle School.

She has also directed the Missoula All-City Boys Choir and the All-City Girls Choir. Skrivseth earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education with a vocal emphasis from the University of Montana in 2004, and her Master's Degree in Integrated Arts Education from UM in 2009.

Alice Williams is the Accompanist for the group. She has been principal accompanist for the Missoula Community Chorus since January 2005. She studied organ with Dr. John Ellis at the University of Montana and has been organist for the University Congregational Church since 1981.

Williams is secretary/treasurer for the Missoula chapter of the American Guild of Organists and membership secretary for the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband at their cabin near Helmville.

With the kind of talent backing the group, it's not surprising the level of professionalism and musical accomplishment that you will witness Dec. 17, 3 p.m. Please join us for a glorious immersion into chorale talent!