The Central Kansas Community Choir, which is sponsored by Barton Community College will begin rehearsals next week for its 2015 concert, “God and Country.”

A non-denominational mixed chorus directed by Barton Barton’s Director of Chorale Activities Vern Fryberger, the choir is open to all central Kansas residents who enjoy singing; high school age and above. The first rehearsal is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at First United Methodist Church, 2123 Forest Ave., in Great Bend. Rehearsals are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday at the church. A dress rehearsal is set for 7 p.m. Sunday, March 29.  The choir will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Fine Arts auditorium at Barton Community College.

This year, the choir’s repertoire will include several sacred selections including “Gloria” by Randol Bass, “De Profundis” by Russell Robinson, and “Festival Gloria” by Craig Courtney. Patriotic selections include “Hymn to the Fallen” by John Williams and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Wilhousky. Each of these selections will be accompanied by the Barton Community Orchestra under the direction of Steve Lueth.

This is the seventh season for the Central Kansas Community Choir, which formed in 2003 and performs a major concert every other year in the spring. 

“The Community Choir gives choral musicians in central Kansas the opportunity to perform major choral works, with orchestra,” Fryberger said.

Previous CKCC concerts have included selections from “Messiah,” “Rutter Gloria,” “Vivaldi Gloria” and “Hayes Te Deum,” as well as selections from Broadway and many other American choral standards.

Each choir member pays a membership fee of $25 at the first rehearsal. For more information, contact Fryberger at (620) 792-9395 or frybergerv@bartonccc.edu.