The Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas has appointed RYAN BEEKEN as director of the Wichita Symphony Chorus. He will add that post to his current position as director of choral activities and associate professor of chorus studies at Wichita State University, where he was appointed in 2019 and conducts several ensembles, teaches graduate and undergraduate choral conducting and literature, and oversees the choral division. He received bachelor of music degrees in vocal performance and music education from Drake University and master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees in choral conducting from Michigan State University. Beeken was previously director of choral studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, taught at Michigan State University, and directed the Drake Chorale at Drake University. He also taught elementary, middle school, and high school music for sixteen years, most recently as director of vocal music for Waukee Schools in suburban Des Moines, where he led a program of over 300 students and twelve ensembles. At the Wichita Symphony Chorus, Beeken succeeds Michael Hanawalt, who held the position from 2014 to 2019. Matthew Udland served as interim chorus director for the 2019-20 season.
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