 "Photo: Courtesy wichita.edu")
It may be too cold for wassailing and too late for caroling, but some Wayne State singers will be warming their vocal cords this month for a different reason.
WSU’s Concert Chorale will be performing Jan. 22 in Grand Rapids’ DeVos Performance Hall during the fourth annual Michigan Music Conference.
The Chorale will be performing a number of songs from classical pieces from “Ave Maria” to whimsical ones like that of Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin.’”
Under the instruction of Dr. Norah Duncan IV, the group has performed at many venues, most recently with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
For the conference, the Chorale competed with many contenders from across the state, vocal cord against vocal cord, to be granted a coveted performance at the conference.
“It’s very prestigious, from what I understand,” said Kristen Malecki, an academic services officer for the Department of Music. “Many choruses audition, but it was the Chorale that was selected to perform this year.”
This will be the first time that the Concert Chorale has performed at the Michigan Music Conference, and although the chorus may be racked with nerves, exhilaration and anticipation are in the air.
“I’m very excited to perform in Grand Rapids,” said sophomore Eric Floetke. “It’s a great honor, and I know we’ll do well.”
The Chorale will not be the only WSU representatives at the conference. Two of the music department’s faculty members will lecture as well. Professor Kypros Markou will be presenting “Chamber Music Rehearsal Techniques,” and Professor Terese Tuohey will chair “Meet the Authors: Current Research in Music Education.” Additionally, WSU will have a booth at the conference.
The Chorale regularly undergoes a rigorous practice routine. On any Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 12:30 p.m. and 2:20 p.m., a group can be found in the Schaver Music Recital Hall singing their lungs out in four-part harmony.
If there is an upcoming performance, they may also have to sacrifice some time on their weeknights.
“It’s a tremendous amount of work, but that comes with being a music major,” said Floetke, who is finishing his second year with the Chorale. “It all pays off in the end.”
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