If you are a fan of movie music, musicals, doo-wop, and Big Band Swing music, plan to attend the Chorale Café on Oct. 16. The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale and Chamber Singers, along with the Campana Consort will perform in this event that is free and open to the public.
The audience is encouraged to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy light coffee service and dessert in the lobby of the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center—along with several small group pre-show performances in the lobby. The show will continue at 7 p.m. on the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center stage.
“If the weather is nice, we will have the doors open and invite people to enjoy the pleasant fall evening outside,” said Chris Bartley, director of music at Pitt-Greensburg. “It’s a great social event that will allow our audience to meet and chat with our choir members. We think they will enjoy the music, too. There are different combinations within the group that will show the different flavors of what the Chorale can be.”
Bartley explained that the concept was student-driven and the result of a brainstorming session. He describes the two ensembles as “excited, ambitious, thoughtful, and communal,” which led to the suggestions for the format as well as the music choices. “It’s a different musical focus and allows for small group auditions and performances,” he noted.
“The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale thought it would be beneficial and exciting to bring something new to our stage that has never been done before!” explained Madison Vogel, the president of the Pitt-Greensburg Chorale and Chamber Singers who is majoring in clinical/counseling psychology with minors in criminal justice and theater arts. “There's a mix of everything ranging from musical theater styles to barbershop vocal harmonies to an a capella piece. We know our audience enjoys our formal concerts, but we wanted to offer some flare and a new taste of music to keep them on their toes.”
“This is very exciting for us because it allows us to explore a wider variety of styles, sounds, and ideas,” said Hunter Roadman, a biology major with a double minor in chemistry and psychology who directs the Campana Consort. “We want the audience to feel like they are as much a part of the experience as we are. Music is both a deeply personal experience and one that is meant to be shared—we hope that by sharing all that we have prepared, the audience will feel connected, as well.
“Each of us involved in the different music programs here at Pitt-Greensburg comes from vastly different backgrounds, shown in no better way than through our musical preferences,” Roadman explained. “Having an event such as the Chorale Café creates an environment that encourages the expression of each individual's artistic ideas and allows the ensembles to identify with the repertoire to make something truly special, which is what we as musicians strive for above all else.”
‘We hope this chorale cafe experience will feel less formal for our audience in that we encourage folks to grab a drink or snack during the performances,” said Vogel. “We want our audience to feel comfortable and relaxed as we will not be singing on the stage for the whole concert as well.”