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Show 8 Op era continued from page 4 Though the structure of the show is disjointed, Karen Brookens, who directs the class and teaches voice at WSU, provides a brief exposition before each scene. "When (Brookens) does the opera scenes," Lee said, "she also explains what's happening, so you also get a kind of a prologue for what's going on. It's a good cross-section of the arts." For the last scene, which comes from Giovacchino Ch oir continued from Forzano's comic opera Gianni Schicchi, several family members have reunited around the deceased form of Uncle Buoso, pretending to mourn, but really searching around the house for his will. The active scene takes a lot of energy from the performers. "In opera, you have to use a lot more of your body," said Trenton Fordham, a vocal performance major at WSU. "It comes from your center and your core a lot Fordham said. "It's not more than other types of easy to sing, which makes singing. There's more sound, me better. After, you're obviously, and it takes a lot just exhausted. It drains you emotionally, because more breathing." Fordham, who has a lot you've basically been singof experience in musical ing for six hours." Though the scenes are theater and choral music, said he loves the opera de- mainly meant to be mysterious, Chelsea Cumspite its "stuffy history" "I guess people think mins, a vocal pedagogy that it's always the fat guy major and class member, singing up on stage, but said the scariest one is there are a lot of newer op- from Gian Carlo Menotti's eras that are more active," The Medium. "It's about a lady who makes me be able to use holds seances, and some- my voice in different ways." thing happens to her," Because opera demands Cummins said. "Basically, more breath support, most by the end of the story, she's choral students said they completely crazy" are not used to singing it. Cummins said she likes "You can get pretty nerthe class because it works vous," Cummins said, "esout her skills. pecially since you don't get "It's a good opportunity a microphone, which befor me to get on a stage cause with opera style, it can and to practice learning be a little nerve-wracking." to act and learning to be a Comment on this story at good performer," she said. wsusignpost.corn. "It tests my voice, and it page 4 They also performed two musical theater duets as a preview from their upcoming show, The Phantom of guages. A particular piece called "Lux Aurumque" was the last song of the set performed by the Chamthe Opera. ber Choir, and all the lights During the concert, the were blacked out in the style of pieces changed theater during its perforfrequently between group mance. numbers and small en"It was peaceful and sursembles, as well as between real," said Shaundra Cragun, classical choral numbers a music student at Utah State and gospel songs. Many University who was in the pieces were in foreign lan- audience that night. "It took you away, and the world was better when you got back" Cragun said she enjoyed the number of pieces presented and compared the concert to "going on a journey." She also noticed Henderson's impact on the choirs during his conducting. "The director had such an influence on the kids in the choir," Cragun said. "He pulled things out of them about learning. You learn semester before becoming they couldn't by themselves." all kinds of skills when active in the choir. Students can find out Aside from Henderson's you're a choir about workmore information about enthusiastic lead and the pre- ing with others, about lismiere of Butts' composition, tening and about respond- auditions or future choir performances by calling the choirs might have had ing appropriately." another motivation during Students interested in the performing arts hotthe performance, as the show participating in choir can line at 801-626-6800 or by was dedicated to one of their either sign up for Concert checking the website at own members, Kari Gardner, Choir, a class requiring no www.deparments.weber. who died on Sept. 2. audition, or can try out edu/PerformingArts. Comment on this story at "Choir is about learn- for Chamber Choir, which wsusignpost.corn. ing," Butts said. "Life is auditions its members the continued from page 4 Other selections per- shiko Akiyoshi's "Tunfrom the 1950s and 1960s, play and listening to the which were written by music," said Rhett Burton, formed by the Jazz En- ing Up," Denis Ci Blasio's famous composers and a junior majoring in tech- semble were Sammy "Coconut Champagne," musicians. According to nical sales at WSU. "They Nestico's "Basile" and and Gordon Goodwin's Keipp, the arrangements were a really talented "Straight Ahead," Sonny "There's the Rub." The WSU Jazz Combo of the song are perfect for band, and the music they Rollins' "St. Thomas," played is the type of mu- Bob Mintzer's "Mr. Fone- was also featured on a his group. "I really had a good sic that makes you want bone," Don Menza's few numbers. "Samba de Rollins," To"Most of the selections time watching the band to get up and dance." we played were more modern charts," Gilgert said. "My favorite piece to play was 'Sister Sadie,' because the tempo and the feel of the music was fun to play." Gilgert has played the drums for 11 years, and this marks his third year playing the drums for the Jazz Ensemble at WSU. "Nobody else in my family plays an instrument or really even listens to music much," he said. "I have always loved to listen to music, and from that is where I got the eagerness to learn to play the drums." Gilgert agreed with Keipp as to the quality of the band. "In my three years of playing the drums for the band at WSU, this is the best band I have had the opportunity to play with," he said. The concert also consisted of solo pieces from members in the band. "I helped the students write some of the solo pieces, and others were improvised, meaning the student plays it different every time," Keipp said. Students and the public can attend a free Jazz Ensemble concert at the Union Station in Ogden on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The Jazz Ensemble will also be performing on Nov. 22 in the Val A. Browning Center Allred Theater at 7:30 p.m. The concert will consist of selections from the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s and will be accompanied by vocalists. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.corn. A presentation by Floyd Norris Chief Financial Correspondent, The New York Times THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 2011 Noon -1 p.m. Photo cred it: FredR. Co nrad/The New Yo rk Times J azz MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011 THE SIGNPOST Weber State University at the Wattis Business Building Smith Lecture Hall Room 206/207 Reception to Follow ADMISSION IS FREE Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics and the Ralph Nye Lecture Series Elle Xetti pork Mao COLLEGE |