We are thrilled to tell the Christmas Story through traditional carols. Join us Sunday, December 18 as singers, Jive for Five Brass Quintet, and organist Jeanette Hinkeldey fill the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church with thrilling Christmas music. Come at 2:15 to enjoy treats, a carol sing along begins at 2:30, and the concert at 3 pm.

Scholarship winner and Fort Dodge native Collin Ellsbury is a sophomore majoring in vocal performance, music theater, philosophy, and political science at Oklahoma City University, where he was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship for Music. At OCU, Collin appeared as Gugliemo in "Cosi fan tutte" and in the musical revue "Closer than Ever." He was a first place winner in the Oklahoma NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competition. Collin is well known in the area for his acting and singing abilities and has performed with the Choral Society and was the 2019 winner of the Fort Dodge Symphony’s Young Artist Competition. Collin plans to have a professional career in performance. Here is a link to a performance he recorded for our enjoyment. 

Lindsey Zuidema from Hull, IA is a junior K-12 choral and instrumental education major at Dordt University. She has been a key soloist at Dordt and has carried several leadership roles both on and off campus. Along with singing in select ensembles, Lindsey is also a wind symphony co-principal oboist.  Off campus, she mentors an at-risk elementary student, is a worship coordinator and leader, and teaches oboe and piano to elementary students. She aspires to direct a high school choir and eventually obtain a doctorate and teach and direct at the college level.   Here is a link to a short performance she recorded for our enjoyment. 

At a time when in-person Christmas concerts are not safe, singers in Fort Dodge Choral Society are sharing the joy of the season with a new on-line performance each day beginning Sunday, December 13.  “The Twelve Days of Christmas” features soloists and small groups from the choir noted for innovative programming.
Conductor Bruce Perry commented, “As performers who love to share music with other people, COVID has been tough. During this time, when people need to share the joy of Christmas, members of the group have recorded familiar favorites to serve as a daily greeting for friends and neighbors.”
Each day, a new video will premiere on Fort Dodge Choral Society’s FaceBook page and here. All are invited to share in these 12 mini-concerts to bring smiles during times of Christmas COVID blues.  The performances will remain available throughout the holiday season.
 

 
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About FDCS

Fort Dodge Choral Society is excited to celebrate its 55th season. Organized in the spring of 1968 by individuals who were interested in providing an opportunity for the study and performance of challenging sacred and secular choral music compositions; and to participate in the rich cultural environment of the community; Fort Dodge Choral Society is one of the oldest community groups dedicated to the performance of fine choral literature in the state of Iowa.

FDCS frequently collaborates with area ensembles from several different genres. Regular contributors include Jive for Five and music faculty from Drake University. Additionally, the ensemble presents concerts in tandem with the Fort Dodge Area Symphony. Other area collaborations include work with Comedia Musica Players, The King Ringers handbell choir, and children's choirs from Fort Dodge's public and parochial schools. As part of its mission to promote musical excellence in the Fort Dodge area, the society has commissioned and debuted choral works from area composers.

Conductor Bruce Perry

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Bruce Perry, Conductor, maintains an active musical schedule as a studio teacher, conductor, and performer. As a singer, Perry has performed in recital, opera and oratorio. He has a passion for Twentieth-Century art song.

He serves as worship and music coordinator for Grace Lutheran Church, Fort Dodge and is active in Iowa Choral Directors Association. As a teacher, Mr. Perry works with many of the area's finest singers; more than forty of his former students are currently pursuing careers in the musical world.

As a pianist, Perry has performed throughout the Midwest and in Brazil. In his spare time, he enjoys computers, deltiology, and collecting antiques. He is a native of Sac City, Iowa, where he now resides.

Mr. Perry holds degrees in piano and vocal performance from Luther College and the University of Iowa.

Pianist Jeanette Hinkeldey

Jeanette Hinkeldey, a classically-trained pianist and organist, performs throughout Iowa as an organ recitalist and pianist for musical theater productions and vocal/instrumentalist soloists.  When accompanying the Buena Vista University Choir on their European tour, Jeanette performed in Paris at the world-renowned Notre-Dame Cathedral, as well as The American Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity). Currently, Jeanette accompanies the Storm Lake High School and Middle School Choirs and is the Director of Music at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia.  She also maintains a private piano and organ studio and is involved in the Iowa Music Teachers Association as the Theory Chair and in the Iowa Federation of Music Teachers as the Recording Secretary.  

Jeanette received her Master's degree in Music at Drake University and her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of South Dakota. Throughout her years of study, she worked with Dr. Carl Staplin, Dr. Larry Scully, Dr. Jeannine Jordan, and Dr. Robert Delcamp.
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She and her husband, Mark, reside on the Hinkeldey Family Farm south of Alta.  They have two grown children, Renae and Marcus, who are also involved in the agricultural business. When not in the music scene, Jeanette enjoys traveling, reading novels, and watching cooking shows, knowing full well she will never have time to make any of the recipes.