Twenty years of outstanding choral music-making were celebrated in fine fashion Sunday afternoon with the Kalamazoo Singers' 20th anniversary concert in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

Musical Director and Conductor Thomas Kasdorf, who has spent the last 17 years with the organization, has developed the Singers into a premiere choral ensemble that is a distinct Kalamazoo treasure.

Sunday's delightful concert served to affirm and expand on the solid reputation enjoyed by the Kalamazoo Singers. The opening set of three a capella numbers provided ample evidence of the rapport Kasdorf shares with his chorus, as with a deft economy of motion he was able to elicit perfect phrasing and instantaneous dynamic extremes, all while the chorus maintained nearly flawless intonation, perfect balance, and crystal-clear diction.

Gail Kubik's arrangement of the folk song "Oh, Dear! What Can the Matter Be?" proved to be a particular delight, and allowed the bass section to shine on the extremely low foundation notes.

Benjamin Britten's "Choral Dances from Gloriana," also performed a capella, expanded on the vocal and musical demands of the first set but the Singers were not found wanting. The six songs included somewhat polyrhythmic sections, lines that were at times more instrumental than vocal, and some close harmony.

The only slight casualty was "Concord and Time," which ended a bit flat.

The Singers were joined by an instrumental ensemble for Mozart's "Regina Coeli," a regal and festive piece that provided a satisfying close to the first half of the concert. Adding to the enjoyment were four well-matched vocal soloists: Corlyn Longer-Schreck, Barbara Sudeikis, Eric Richter and David Veenhuis.

Several of the best-loved tunes from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel"" comprised a beautiful medley arrangement that featured a big, bravura four-hand accompaniment. The keyboard duties were handled very ably by the Singers' regular accompanist, Janlee Richter, and by guest accompanist Tracy Cowden.

"Three Scottish Folksongs" by Mack Wilberg also featured a four-hand accompaniment, along with spirited dancing by members of the Kalamazoo Ballet Company. The first song, "O Whistle and I'll Come to Ye," had a spring-like flavor which was enhanced by dancers Melissa Mallinson, Heather Smith, and Rachel Wittkowsky. Mallinson's solo dance to the second number, "My Love's in Germany," very effectively conveyed the longing and uncertainty expressed in the text. The final piece, "I'll Ay Call in by Yontown," featured 11 dancers, including 7 children.

The final piece on the program - the choral march "Arrival of the Guests" from Wagner's "Tannhauser" - was a reprise from the recent 75th anniversary concert of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. A number of audience members who had performed the piece in that concert were invited to the stage, greatly augmenting the chorus.

With accompanists Richter and Cowden providing a stirring two-piano accompaniment, the chorus responded in glorious accord to perfectly capture the ceremonious pomp and circumstance, expressing a spirit of celebration for all that has marked the first 20 years of the Kalamazoo Singers.