KU Choir to Tour Kansas Hometowns

When the KU Chamber Choir journeyed to Meade High School in the Kansas hometown of Robert Daugherty in 1952, the choir made an impression he never forgot.

Now Daugherty, c'56, m'60, has given $25,000 to support a Kansas tour for a 21st century KU choir that will send 40 students to perform in Wichita, Pratt, Meade and Dodge City, Oct. 18 through Oct. 20. The gift to KU Endowment will fund transportation, food and hotel accommodations for the trip and support other aspects of the choral program.

Graduates of high schools from almost all towns on the tour are members of the choir, said John Paul Johnson, professor of music and director of the choir. The tour will give those students a chance to sing in front of a hometown audience and expose residents to talented KU performers.

"It's important for students to see how the public reacts to their performance," Johnson said. "They learn so much from going on a tour like this."

Daugherty's gift continues his longtime support of the Sandra Keller Daugherty Fund, a choral program fund named for his late wife, Sandra Keller Daugherty, c'56, m'60.

Performance dates and locations are as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 18 7:30 p.m.
Northwest High School, 1220 N. Tyler Road, Wichita, Kan.
(combined with the choirs of Northwest High School)

Wednesday, Oct. 19 9:15 a.m.
Pratt High School, 401 S. Hamilton, Pratt, Kan.
(a program for the high school and middle school choirs)

Wednesday, Oct. 19 7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 201 Soule, Dodge City, Kan.

Thursday, Oct. 20 8:00 a.m.
Meade High School, 409 School Addition, Meade, Kan.

Thursday, Oct. 20 1:00 p.m.
Wichita Heights High School, 5301 N. Hillside, Wichita, Kan.
a program for the Madrigal Singers and selected senior vocalists)