One of the nation’s leading professional vocal ensembles, the Kansas City Chorale will perform at the next Fern Lingenfelter Artist Series concert hosted by McPherson College at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 119 N. Elm Street in McPherson. Admission to the concert is free.
The program will explore American sacred music, drawing from hymns, spirituals, and concert works spanning more than two centuries. Rooted in foundational melodies and reimagined by composers such as Aaron Copland, Moses Hogan, and James Molholland, alongside contemporary voices, the selections trace a living American musical landscape.
Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Chorale is recognized for its refined sound, expressive depth, and artistic excellence. Under the leadership of artistic director Charles Bruffy, the Chorale has earned international acclaim through performances, recordings, and educational initiatives that reflect a deep commitment to both tradition and innovation.
Bruffy has served as artistic director since 1988 and is widely admired for his luminous choral sound, clarity of musical architecture, and deeply expressive interpretations. In addition to his work with the Kansas City Chorale, he has held leadership roles with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and previously served as artistic director of the Phoenix Chorale.
The Chorale maintains an active performance presence in the Kansas City area and appears on prominent national and international stages, including as at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, as well as festivals aboard such as Incheon Choral Festival in South Korea. Among its many honors, the Chorale has earned six Grammy Awards and 17 nominations for its albums.
Admission to the Lingenfelter concert is free thanks to a generous commitment to McPherson College honoring Fern Lingenfelter. Lingenfelter, an alumna of McPherson College, taught piano in McPherson for many years to college students on campus and younger students at her downtown studio. Her son, Steve Clark, chairman of Clark Investment Group of Wichita, established the fund that supports two annual music performance events with particular emphasis on piano.