Jessica Balassi of St. Louis, Mo., Performs In Missouri Baptist University Ensemble at the State's Largest Music Conference

2013 Feb 1

Jessica Balassi, a member of the MBU Ringers, performed at the Missouri Music Educators Association's (MMEA) 75th annual In-Service Workshop and Conference last week.

The ensemble is a five-octave hand bell choir utilizing the talents of 13 students at Missouri Baptist University who audition for the group each year.

Last week's performance at Tan-Tar-A resort in Osage, Mo., marks the first time an MBU instrumental group has represented the University at the MMEA conference. A recording of the group was sent to MMEA during the summer of 2012, and then a panel of three out-of-state judges hired by MMEA chose the MBU Ringers through a blind audition process.

Balassi is a senior from St. Louis, Mo., who is majoring in musical theatre.

Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in Saint Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and its new terminal degree, the Doctor of Education. In addition to its 66-acre West St. Louis County campus, MBU offers degree programs at 10 regional learning centers throughout Saint Louis, in Southern Illinois and online. For more information, go to www.mobap.edu or call 1-877-434-1115.