I have been consistently impressed with the East Tennessee State University chorale groups 12 Times a Lady and 10 BucsWorth. With their most recent show being a huge success, the news that this performance was to be their last came as a surprise to many. And rightly so – the success of the two groups makes it difficult to comprehend why these groups would be disbanded.
While I am sad to see them go, I am cautiously optimistic about the future ETSU chorale. As it turns out, a new director of choral activities has been brought to ETSU and some changes are being made.
One of these major changes is the disbanding of the current chorale groups and the formation of a few new ones. If you were lucky enough to experience 12 Times a Lady and 10 BucsWorth, then you should know that they performed a mixture of contemporary and classical/hymnal music.
In their place, there will be a joint men and women’s choir that will sing only traditional and hymnal music. This group is set to be comprised of 32 people, 16 of the members being men and 16 being women.
Students must audition in order to become members of this group, but auditions are open to everyone. This will provide an opportunity for students who are talented singers, but focus their studies elsewhere.
Additionally, another group will be formed that will sing primarily, if not exclusively, contemporary music. It is believed that this vocal group will be much smaller, possibly around 10 people, and will also require auditions. The exact details regarding the composition of this group are not yet set in stone.
I would be lying if I said that I was not sad to see 12 Times a Lady and 10 BucsWorth go, but I am excited to see what the future holds for the program. It is important to remember that while the names have been changed and the programs rearranged, the students involved are still just as talented as they were before. I anticipate great things from the students of the music program as they adjust to these changes.
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