On Oct. 14, four of Grand Valley State University’s choral ensembles will come together for a performance at the Allendale Campus’ Louis Armstrong Theater, located in the Performing Arts Center.

The performance will be made up of women from The Select Women’s Ensemble, men and women from The Cantate Chamber Ensemble and the University Singers, and women from the Women’s Chamber Ensemble.

Conductor Ellen Poole said they are performing arrangements of “Shenandoah,” “Over the Rainbow,” a Billy Joel piece and “Send in the Clowns” from the musical “A Little Night Music.”

“A lot goes into preparing a concert,” said Erik Childers, a soloist in the performance. “Our conductor, Professor Pool, must first select the right repertoire that will fit the voices of the current chamber ensemble. All of our music is memorized, so voice checks on each piece are given about two weeks before the performance to ensure all members have their part memorized accurately.”

Rehearsals have been tedious for the past few weeks, running through the entire show to make sure everything will run smoothly, Childers said.

“We are still working on moving phrases together and knowing when to look at each other for cues and polishing a few parts in each piece,” Childers said.

For this concert, unlike past performances, Poole will not be on stage with the choirs.

“When we are performing, we are all so tightly connected that if even one person is not tuned in with the rest of the ensemble it can end up in disaster,” Childers said. “This group is very tight-knit, so we can use our eye contact to speak to one another throughout the performance.”

Poole said the variety of music should entertain a diverse audience, especially since the ensembles will be performing a cappella, or without instruments.

“I always think it’s a great opportunity to attend a choral concert and enjoy what our wonderful music program has to offer,” Childers said. “Our ensemble has been working very hard to prepare this concert and it will be a spectacular concert.”

The concert features many soloists, including Childers, Kortnee Brooks, Adrielle Eberly, Caitlin Cusack, Sara Fortino and Haley Hildebrandt. It showcases the voices at GVSU, ending with a group, not directed by Poole.

“The University Singers, a 30-voice group of men and women, conducted by professor Jim Metzler will conclude the concert singing three pieces,” Poole said.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Performing Arts Center at (616) 331-3484.
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