Oltman and Voice Students Participate in Simpson College/CORO Summer Program

Founded in 2018 by Associate Professor of Voice and Director of Choral Activities Matt Oltman, D.M.A., CORO Artistic Director Dr. Phil Moody and former Director of Choral Activities of Simpson College Dr. Tim McMillin, the Simpson College/CORO three-summer master’s program in choral conducting graduated its first cohort on Aug. 1. The summer program includes intensive training in choral conducting, choral literature, vocal pedagogy, theory, performance practice and diction. Seven performances, led by the conducting faculty and conducted by the master’s students, were held as part of the Des Moines Choral Festival. Carlos Plaza ’21 (Master of Music in Performance), Kristen Sullivan ’22 (Bachelor of Music in Performance) and Julian Baldwin ’22 (Bachelor of Music in Performance) participated as paid members of the festival chorus.