MITCHELL – The Ron and Sheilah Gates Department of Music at Dakota Wesleyan University will sponsor a tour of upper midwest communities in early March.  As part of DWU’s spring break, the Highlanders vocal chorus and the Wesleyan Bells will perform in eight communities March 1-6. Stops on the tour include:

• Stillwater, Minn., First United Methodist Church, Friday, March 1, 7 p.m.
• Elk Mound, Wis., Trinity United Methodist Church, Saturday, March 2, 7 p.m.
• Fargo, N.D., Fargo First United Methodist Church, Sunday, March 3, 4 p.m.
• Bismarck, N.D. , McCabe United Methodist Church, Monday, March 4, 7 p.m.
• Ipswich, S.D., Ipswich School, Tuesday, March 5, 1 p.m.
• Aberdeen, S.D., North Highland United Methodist Church, Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.
• Wessington Springs, S.D. , Wessington Springs High School, Wednesday, March 6, 10 a.m.
• Plankinton, S.D., Plankinton High School, Wednesday, March 6, 1:15 p.m.                          

All performances are free and are open to the public.

The Highlanders are directed by Dr. Clinton Desmond, director of choral activities, professor of music, and chair of the Ron and Sheilah Gates Department of Music at DWU.  The Wesleyan Bells are directed by Erin Desmond, assistant professor of music at Dakota Wesleyan, who teaches voice and music theory, conducts the Wesleyan Bells and is the university’s accompanist.

Upcoming events for the Ron and Sheilah Gates Department of Music include:
· LyricWood on March 17, 4 p.m., at the DWU Sherman Center, also livestreamed at www.dwu.edu/live.
· Spring Music Concert on April 21, 4 p.m., at the DWU Sherman Center, also livestreamed at www.dwu.edu/live.
· Faculty Recital with DWU music conductor Jason T. Laczkoski on April 28, 4 p.m., at the DWU Sherman Center