The concert, which is free and open to the public, will officially end Amman's 22 years of teaching and conducting at Ball State. A reception in the lobby of Pruis Hall will immediately follow the concert.

With 70 members, this will be the largest Summer Chorus. Concert highlights will include "Lovesong Waltzes" by Brahms and selections from "Brigadoon" and "Phantom of the Opera." Accompanists for the concert include Linley Baker, Michael Pettry and Jace Wittig.

"I've been teaching college for 42 years," Amman said, "and my greatest joy has been seeing the hundreds of students I've taught experience success as graduate students, public school teachers, college and university choral directors, and directors of church choirs and community choruses."

During his tenure at Ball State, the university's choral program has grown in quality and quantity with more than 200 members. The Chamber Choir, the highest of the departmental choirs, has sung for three American Choral Directors Association conventions, toured in 36 states and completed two tours in central Europe and three tours in Canada.

In 2001, Amman received the Upper Peninsula Choral Leadership Award for service to choral music in Michigan, an award that reflects his commitment to the area that spawned from teaching for 10 years at Northern Michigan University. He also earned Ball State's Outstanding Creative Endeavor Award in 1996.

Upon retiring, Amman said that he plans on spending more time with the College Avenue Methodist Church choir and would like to compose some pieces for them—something he hasn't had time to do since he was in college. He has also been named conductor of the Westminster Orchestra in Muncie. Amman plays trombone in the orchestra, and his wife, Jean, plays flute. He will continue to judge contests and guest conduct performances in the Midwest.

The second concert of the Summer Chorus will be July 23, at 6 p.m. in Pruis Hall. The conductor will be Jeffrey Carter, associate director of choral activities at Ball State.

Note to Editors: For more information, contact Amman at (765) 285-5417 or damman@bsu.edu.