Singing Hoosiers' annual show features songs from new CD

From American popular music to jazz to Broadway favorites, IU's Singing Hoosiers do it all, leaving even the least musically inclined audience in awe. \nThe Jacobs School of Music will hosting its annual "Chimes of Christmas" show 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the IU Auditorium. The performance will feature the IU Wind Ensemble, Trombone Choir and the Singing Hoosiers.\nTickets can be purchased at the IU Auditorium box office or online at www.iuauditorium.com. The price is $15 for the general public and $13 for IU students and children.\n"This is a very special tradition which is designed to get people in the holiday spirit," said Michael Schwartzkopf, the troupe's director. "The Singing Hoosiers have been performing the 'Chimes for Christmas' for some 30 years now and will continue it well into the future."\nSchwartzkopf, who was a Singing Hoosier in 1960 and has been director of the choir since fall 1995, is currently on sabbatical. Taking over this semester is Barron Breland.\nWith 125 active members, the Singing Hoosiers perform several concerts on the IU campus throughout the year, according to the their Web site. They also perform at orchestrated productions in the IU Jacobs School of Music and at Big Ten basketball games.\n"This group is extremely unique," said Jonathan Davidson, the Singing Hoosiers' student manager. "I will even go so far as to say that it is the only group of its kind. We perform all sorts of styles and songs, but for 'Chimes of Christmas,' specifically, we focus on festive and spiritual music of the holiday season."\nEven though the majority of the concert focuses on Christmas, the group will also perform a Hanukkah song and winter tunes, Davidson explained.\nThe Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers have also appeared with such renowned performers as Bob Hope, Allan Sherman, Red Buttons, Duke Ellington and Hoagy Carmichael, as well as several professional symphony orchestras.\nIn 1995, the troupe performed at Carnegie Hall with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and has appeared on a televised PBS Christmas special. The Singing Hoosiers were part of a number of recordings, including the Grammy-nominated "A Disney Spectacular" and "The Music Man." \nSince then, the Singing Hoosiers have released their latest album, "Christmas Time is Here," which was recorded with maestro Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops.\nFor more information on "Chimes of Christmas" and the Singing Hoosiers, visit www.indiana.edu/~singingh.