About Us
Who We Are
Founded in 2003, the Liberty Community Chorus is an 80-voice chorus open to singers 16 years of age and older. The Chorus consists of non-auditioned singers from throughout the greater Kansas City area who prepare, rehearse and perform stunning modern and ancient choral works from the world’s great composers. Always with intriguing concerts, the Chorus performs a minimum of two concerts each year with extra performances added occasionally during the seasons. In addition to the English language and drawing from many cultures, Chorus concerts have included selections sung in Latin, German, Russian, Hebrew, Estonian, Gaelic and Chinese languages.
Throughout its history, the Liberty Community Chorus has featured the spectacular music of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Rachmaninoff as well as more recent works. Composers and arrangers include John Rutter (“Requiem” and “Gloria”), Ola Gjeilo (premiering of “The City/Credo”), Donald McCullough (“Holocaust Cantata: Songs From the Camps”), Craig Hella Johnson, Dan Forrest, Mack Wilberg, Will Todd, Morten Lauridsen, Philip Stopford, Daniel Gawthrop, Eric Whitacre, Mark Hayes, Joseph Martin and Eugene Butler.
The Chorus has performed with the Liberty Symphony at the Liberty Heritage Festival, the Jewish Community Center and Northwest Missouri State University in past performances.
Organization Information
In 2006, the Liberty Community Chorus received designation as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service. The activities of the Chorus are funded through member dues, ticket sales and the generous support of our donors and patrons. Scholarship assistance is available for qualified, financially challenged singers. Administrative and operational functions are governed by Chorus bylaws and overseen by an 11-member Board of Directors who serve on a volunteer basis.
As a nonprofit organization, the Liberty Community Chorus depends on grant funds and donor investment to patron its musical offerings. For more information on the Chorus’s financial standing and strategic goals, visit our Candid profile.
Our Staff
Artistic Director
BRYAN TAYLOR, founder and Artistic Director of the Liberty Community Chorus, proudly celebrates the organization’s 23rd season of bringing vibrant choral artistry and exciting programming to the community. A cornerstone of the local music scene, Bryan recently retired as the Director of Traditional Music and Worship Arts at Liberty United Methodist Church. He also recently capped an extraordinary 33-year tenure as a vocalist with the Grammy-Award-winning Kansas City Chorale. Bryan’s rich musical path includes directing choral music at Kearney High School (1985–2000) and collaborating with legendary choral masters, including Robert Shaw, Weston Noble, Charles Bruffy, Alice Parker, and Sir Neville Marriner. A recent sabbatical further enriched his craft, highlighted by a trip to Salt Lake City where he experienced the unforgettable gift of singing a full rehearsal with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square alongside Dr. Craig Jessop and Dr. Mack Wilberg. Deeply committed to the growth of his peers, Bryan has served as the Worship and Music chair for the Missouri Choral Directors Association and currently holds the same chair for the Southwest ACDA. Bryan and his wife, Lanette, are longtime Liberty residents, proud parents of four children, and blessed with three grandchildren.
Pianist
NANETTE KRAUS is at her musical best when collaborating with others as a pianist and singer. From accompanying musicians at KU, Emporia State University, and Baker University, to school and honor choirs in Kansas and Missouri, Nanette enjoys working with each age and stage in the musical process. She currently assists the next generation of singers at Liberty High School and the lifelong learners of the Liberty Community Chorus. Nanette recently sang alto with KC VITAs and Te Deum Chamber Choir and served on the Te Deum board of directors from 2015-2024. A native Kansan, Nanette earned degrees from Bethany College and the University of Kansas. She enjoys travel adventures with her husband, Brian, and loves being “Oma” to grandbaby, Micah.
Our Board
Executive Committee
Chris Marple, President
Tiffany Leever, Vice-President
Stan Niederhauser, Treasurer
Molly Mereness, Secretary
Committee Chairs
Bob DeTray, Performance Committee Chair
Julie McCaw, Sponsorship Committee Chair
Tamara Hart, Nominating Committee Chair
Emelita Gouldsmith, Membership Committee Chair
Members at Large
Sarah Read
Nancy Martin
Anne Pingle-Nichols