About Us
The Heart of America Men’s Chorus (HOAMC) is a chorus located in Wichita, Kansas. It was founded in the fall of 2002 when five men met and decided to form a men’s choral organization. Their goal was to perform for the joy of singing and to demonstrate a strong commitment to community involvement by contributing to charitable organizations in Wichita. From that meeting an organizational structure began to take shape, as well as the planning of the first concert to be held during the Christmas season. The chorus began with 16 men and now has over 30 singing members who perform three times a year in the Spring, Summer, and a holiday concert in December.
After serving the Chorus for 9 seasons as the founding Artistic Director/Conductor, Howard Webb retired at the end of the 9th season. The Chorus began its 10th Anniversary Season with a new Artistic Director, Deanne Zogleman. Ms. Zogleman is well known to Wichita and the surrounding communities, as well as throughout the state of Kansas and beyond. Ms. Zogleman’s seasoned production skills promise a future of new and exciting concerts for HOAMC’s audiences.
Heart of America Men’s Chorus is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating an environment of fellowship for its singers and providing quality musical entertainment to the public. The group devotes many hours to perfect their performances and is pleased to present this concert for your enjoyment. HOAMC is a unique arts group in Wichita for that very reason; their dedication to giving to other not-for-profits in the city and surrounding areas.
Artistic Staff
Deanne Zogleman - Artistic Director
In addition to loving spending every Tuesday evening with these talented men, she is currently in her 16th year as Director of Music at Newman University where her choral groups have performed at Carnegie Hall four times in the past nine years. In her 32 years of teaching, she has gained recognition as a music educator and professional choreographer throughout the Midwest. Deanne has served as a clinician, adjudicator and director for music and drama festivals, various workshops and show choir competitions. An award-winning choreographer, Deanne choreographs for several high school show choirs in the Midwest and professional and high school theater productions in the area. She follows her passion to perform theater and has been an award-winning professional actress in the Wichita area since 1991. Some of her favorite roles include the Witch in Into the Woods, Abigail Adams in 1776 , Francesca Johnson in The Bridges of Madison County and Diana in Next to Normal.
Fun fact – She is an avid college basketball fan and has won her bracket challenge with her college buddies for the past 4 years.
Sean Hephner - Accompanist
Sean Hephner is a Wichita-born keyboardist, singer, and teacher. Sean has a BME from MidAmerica Nazarene University, as well as an MM in Piano Performance from Wichita State University. He is proud to have studied piano under Richard Bruhn in Wichita, Dr. Erika Kinser and Dr. Jessica Koebbe at MidAmerica Nazarene University, and Dr. Andrew Trechak at Wichita State University. He enjoys performing and instructing in classical, jazz, improvisational, and chordal music. Most of all, he enjoys introducing and cultivating a love and mastery of music in students. Sean currently teaches K-5 Vocal Music at Adams Elementary in Wichita, private piano lessons at Creative Keyboard Studio. and accompanies/performs in the Wichita area, both on the piano and vocally.
Board of Directors
The Heart of America Men’s Chorus Board of Directors is comprised of motivated and inspired singing and non-singing members from the Wichita community. Board terms are currently set for two year terms which run from September 1st through August 31st. From varied professional backgrounds, each member strives to support and further the mission of the Heart of America Men’s Chorus.
The HOAMC Board is committed to helping the chorus provide high quality entertainment and finding beneficiaries in the community. We are always looking for new, energetic, and genuine people to join the Board in our mission to entertain, inspire, and transform lives.
If you are interested in becoming a Heart of America Men’s Chorus Board member, please call the chorus line at 316-202-8830 or contact us.
Our current board members are as follows:
Board Officers
Phil Speary, Board Chair
Judith Babnich, Vice Chair
Roxana Stitt, Secretary
Tim Albert,Treasurer
Members at Large
Terri Ingram, Karen Kennedy, Georgia Purdom,
Bill Loyd, Theresa Pacitti
Chorus President
Brad Robertson
Artistic Director
Deanne Zogleman
Beneficiaries
The Heart of America Men’s Chorus strives to give back to the community through teaming with various beneficiaries in coordination with our concerts. We believe inspiring change and transforming lives includes finding ways we can serve others in need in our local community.
We are proud to have partnered with a variety of local organizations which have enhanced the lives of those in need in our community. Please visit our list below of our past beneficiaries. If your organization is interested in working with the Heart of America Men’s Chorus, please call us at our chorus line, 316-202-8830, or contact us.
PFLAG – Wichita Chapter
Alzheimer’s Association of the Great Plains
The Dr. Donna Sweet Emergency Fund
Positive Directions
GraceMed
Wichita Community Children’s Choir
Kansas Foodbank Warehouse
Wichita Children’s Home
Greensburg, KS Fine Arts Department
Historic Orpheum Theater
Susan G Komen For the Cure, Mid-Kansas Affiliate
Newman University, Guatemala Dental Care Project
Children’s Miracle Network
Wichita Fraternal Order of Police
Inter-Faith Ministries Homeless Shelter
Kyrie Foundation