The Plains Singers of West Plains, Missouri was established in 1982. They have toured extensively since that time. Their tours have included the United Kingdom in 1983, Hungary, Austria and Ireland in 1987, Russian Republic, and Czech Republic in 1993, Finland, Romania and Hungary in 1997, Peoples Republic of China in 2001, Italy in 2005, and 2011, Poland, and Germany in 2008, Croatia, and Slovenia in 2015, and Finland, and Estonia in 2019.
The choir has performed in York Minster, York, England, St. Giles Cathedral, Chester, Wales, St. Charles Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, Moscow Conservatory, St. Petersburg Conservatory and numerous churches in the Russian Republic, The Rock Church in Hellsinki, Finland, numerous music conservatories in China and St. Peters’ Cathedral in Rome. In addition, they have performed for the Missouri Music Educators Convention and have developed an extensive repertoire over the years.
The Choir is made up of current students and alumni from the West Plains Concert Choir. The choir rehearses Monday and Tuesday evenings and some Sunday afternoons. The Choir ranges in ages from 15 to 54; all united by their love of choral singing. This choir has many parents singing in the group along with their children. Through these intense rehearsals, the members achieve a sonorous choral tone that has come to be a trademark of this wonderful choral ensemble.
Kelly Dame is the Choral Director at West Plains High School, in West Plains, Missouri. She received her Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Music Education from Arkansas State University and has several hours in secondary administration from Missouri State University. She has taught Choral Music for 52 years, 50 of those years being at West Plains High School. Kelly’s teaching responsibilities include 5th grade general music, 6th grade general music, 6th grade choir, 7th & 8th grade general music, grades 9 through 12 Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, The Plainsmen, Madrigal Singers, and Swing Set. Her choirs have won numerous awards, performed for district, state and national conventions and have toured internationally. Her choirs have performed as Ambassadors of Friendship through music to the United Kingdom, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Russia, Peoples Republic of China, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Croatia, and Slovenia. Kelly is a member of International Federation of Choral Musicians, National Federation for Music Education, Missouri Music Educators Association, Outstanding District Choral Director of South Central Missouri, American Choral Director’s Association, Missouri Choral Director’s Association, National Education Association and Missouri National Education Association. She has received many awards including the MCDA Luther Spayde award, MCDA President’s Award of Excellence, West Plains Citizen of the Year, West Plains Professional Woman of the Year, Missouri State High School Activities Association Music Educator of the Year, MMEA Music Educator of the year, West Plains Walmart Teacher of the Year, West Plains R-7 Schools Educator of the Year, and West Plains Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year to name a few.
FREE ENTRANCE