By Mike Greife,
March 8, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – The University of Central Missouri College of Arts, Humanities,
and Social Sciences will celebrate the life and work of Conan Castle, professor emeritus
of music, with a special performance of the UCM Alumni Choir at 3:30 p.m. Saturday,
April 1, in Hart Recital Hall.
Castle, a resident of Warrensburg, attended Doane College and received bachelor’s
and master’s degrees from Northwestern University and his Ph.D. from the University
of Michigan. He joined the UCM faculty in 1959 and served as director of choral programs,
including direction of the Concert Choir and the Madrigal Singers. He was a recipient
of the Byler Distinguished Faculty Award in 1985.
Alumni who performed under the direction of Castle are invited to join the Alumni
Choir for the April 1 performance under the direction of UCM alumnus and retired music
educator Rick Weymuth. Weymuth taught vocal music at the elementary, secondary and
postsecondary levels, retiring from Northwest Missouri State University as director
of choirs and professor of music in 2001.
In addition to honoring Castle with their presence at the April 1 event, alumni and
friends are invited to assist in matching an anonymous challenge gift of $100,000
to the Music Facilities Enhancement Fund in honor of Castle.
The event is free and open to the public, with ticketing required to assure adequate
seating. Tickets for the event and registration to perform with the choir are available
and pledges of financial support may be made by calling the UCM Department of Music
at 660-543-4530 or online at ucmo.edu/cahss/castle.
“This promises to be a memorable event featuring the talents of current and former
UCM music students, brief reflections and a citation presented to Dr. Castle,” said
Gersham Nelson, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “We will
acknowledge Dr. Castle’s inspiration of hundreds of music educators and professionals
and his impact on choral music regionally and nationally, and we look forward to welcoming
our alumni back to campus for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
