The “2007 Spring Spectacular” drew a crowd of hundreds to the Culp Auditorium Friday and Saturday night for a live performance of the ETSU Chorale and and 6BucsWorth.
Perhaps the best way to keep the talent level of the ETSU Chorale in perspective is to keep in mind their recent invitation to perform at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
“I don’t want to get excited about it,” said Chorale Director Dr. Thomas Jenrette, “because I don’t know where the funding will come from, but we’ve been invited to participate in a concert that will be connected with the opening of the Olympics to the selection of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.”
The event was held by the chorale as a benefit concert to raise money for the group, but not necessarily money for a trip to Beijing.
Equally impressive is the fact that the chorale had little more than three weeks to prepare for the polished two-hour performance that included everything from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” to a whimsical rendition of “Goodbye My Coney Island Baby” by 6BucsWorth.
“It’s been a real treat for all of us to be able to come together as a group,” said Justin Conway, chorale and 6BucsWorth member.”
“We’ve rehearsed as much as we could considering the men’s ensemble was singing for the National American Chorale Directors convention in Miami,” Jenrette said.
The chorale members appeared strictly in formal dress with the men wearing tuxes and the ladies adorned in evening dresses. Such an initial appearance belied the presence of the drum set stage left of the bluegrass performance to come, that included an original piece inspired by Johnny Cash.
One element separating the concert from a typical college choir performance was its impressive diversity. The concert ranged in content from the Jan and Dean-esque doo-wop performance of 6BucsWorth to the poignant renditions of several songs from “Les Miserable” by various members of the ETSU Chorale. The dynamic shift from full choir to barber shop choir to bluegrass to any number of songs on par with a professional musical provided an entertaining change of pace. Because the concert included several performances of smaller groups within the chorale, it arguably showcased more individual talent than other chorale performances in recent memory.
“This is a production in which all of the students carry a heavy individual responsibility because I’m not on stage. So they really have to have their individual acts together,” Jenrette said.
“You hear the chorale, and you hear the combined talent. But I don’t think you realize how much individual talent there is until you see a show like this,” he said.
In a way, the Spring Spectacular was deconstructive in that it dissected the 78-member chorale to reveal the working parts within, and although some of the music was arguably geared towards an audience older than your average college student, the level of talent certainly justified the $10 admission.
“I feel like we performed really top-level,” said chorale member Mike Drew.
Applause was gratuitous and constant, and the performers were even rewarded at show’s end with an energetic standing ovation.
Whether or not they make it to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing is yet to be seen, but for now the ETSU Chorale certainly seems to have hit a peak in talent that will forever make 2007 a memorable year.

Author