Our Next Concert

Birthday Lights - A Celebration of John Rutter's 70th Birthday.  Join us for Rutter's Requiem and Mass of the Children with guest soloists Aliese Hoesel and Sean Galligan, as well as the women's choir from Fort Dodge Senior High School under the direction of Kim Wankum.  The chance to hear these beautiful works with chamber orchestra is an opportunity not to be missed.  Concert is Sunday, April 26, at 3 pm at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. 


First rehearsal is Monday, March 2 at 7:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 211 South 9th, Fort Dodge.  New singers are welcome. 

About FDCS

Fort Dodge Choral Society is currently celebrating its 46th 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 Michelle Havlik-Jergens

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Michelle Havlik-Jergens, Accompanist, is a staff accompanist at Drake University. As a student of Drake professor emerita Chiu-Ling Lin, she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in piano pedagogy from Drake.


She has been a soloist with the Drake, Wartburg and Fort Dodge symphonies and twice won the Top Keyboard Artist Award in Iowa. She also has entertained aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines and collaborated with the Des Moines Ballet, Palm Beach Symphonette, Center Stage Players and Poinciana Playhouse.


A resident of Webster City, Iowa, she appears regionally and nationally with soprano Leanne Freeman-Miller and other Drake faculty and has collaborated with numerous local, regional and national NATS and MTNA competition winners. She is in great demand as a collaborative pianist and clinician.