CARBONDALE, Ill. (April 13, 2026) — Members of the Rend Lake College Concert Choir traveled to Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIUC) on March 18 to participate in the 2026 Community College Choir Day, an intensive day of performance, instruction, and collaborative music-making.
The event was organized and conducted by Dr. Emerson Eads, SIUC Director of Choral Studies. The day offered RLC students the opportunity to learn from university faculty and perform alongside peers from across the region.
The day kicked off with a Vocal Masterclass featuring five RLC students: Samuel Buesking, Victoria Bocock, Katie "Jinx" Craddock, Penny Franzen, and Cadence Morgan. These students performed as soloists and received direct feedback and coaching from distinguished clinicians Dr. David Dillard, Director of Graduate Studies, and Angela Shultz, Director of BFA in Musical Theater. The session allowed the singers to refine their technique and stage presence under the guidance of SIU’s vocal experts.
RLC Choir, directed by Music Professor Sara Alstat-Sanders, performs at SIUC.
Back row (L-R): Madison Brower (Christopher), Tessa Neitzel (Benton), Jack Robison (Mt. Vernon), Odin Poteete (Benton), Malcom Hall (Benton), Zack Swain (Mt. Vernon), Liam Bullard (Mt. Vernon), Victoria Bocock (Mt. Vernon), Torrence Moore (Benton)
Front row (L-R): Penny Franzen (Mt. Vernon), Natalie Warren (Mt. Vernon), Hunter Gray (Mt. Vernon), Sam Buesking (Mt. Vernon), Caleb Qualls (Sesser), Megan Wilkins (Sesser), Jinx Craddock (Mt. Vernon), Cadence Morgan (Mt. Vernon), Kaitlynn Delaney (Mt. Vernon)
RLC Accompanist: Farrah Barry
The RLC Concert Choir, under the direction of RLC Music Professor Sara Alstat-Sanders, took the stage to perform a diverse three-piece set. Their program included the spiritual "Elijah Rock," the moving "I Shall Not Live in Vain," and the powerful "Ascribe to the Lord." The performance showcased the choir's range and the hard work put in throughout the spring semester.
Students from surrounding community colleges, including RLC students, perform together.
To conclude the event, all participating community college choirs joined together for a mass ensemble performance. Directed by Eads, the large group performed "Come and Go (To That Land)," filling the venue with a unified voice and celebrating the community built through choral music.
Interested in the RLC Music program? Visit rlc.edu/music for more information, or contact Sarah Alstat-Sanders at alstats@rlc.edu.
