Singing Hoosiers to begin season with fall concert

At first glance, the students packed into Music Addition 404 look like an average group of college kids.

They wore hoodies, T-shirts and jeans, even a baseball cap or two. This weekend, the Singing Hoosiers will exchange their casual clothing for concert attire.

The Singing Hoosiers will perform their Fall Preview Concert at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Auer Hall.

Tickets were available for free at the Musical Arts Center box office, but have sold out.
Music filled the room Tuesday as the singers readied themselves to perform Hoagy Carmichael’s “Georgia on My Mind.”

Steve Zegree, professor of music at IU and the new director of the Singing Hoosiers, shouted instructions and encouragement over the chorus.

He frequently stopped the students mid-verse and made them start over.

“More mature,” Zegree called out. “Not more loud, just more mature.”

Zegree conducted with vigor as the Singing Hoosiers performed their “riser choreography,” dance moves accompanying each song that are performed within the small space each student has on the stands.

The show marks Zegree’s debut with the group and kicks off its 2012-13 season.
The Singing Hoosiers were formed in 1950 and perform annual Christmas and spring concerts at the IU Auditorium.

Zegree was previously the Bobby McFerrin Distinguished Professor of Music at Western Michigan University, and DownBeat Magazine recently inducted him into its Jazz Education Hall of Fame.

He said he has been very lucky in the success he has enjoyed, and he hopes to pay it forward by working with the next generation of performers.

Zegree said things will be different with the new director.

However, he plans to continue the Singing Hoosiers’ tradition of celebrating the Great American Songbook and contemporary vocal music.

“Even our Mozart is going to be hip,” he said.

The concert will feature a guest performance by Timothy Noble, distinguished professor of voice at the Jacobs School of Music.

Zegree said the Singing Hoosiers are honored that Noble agreed to perform.

“He’s one of the best singers on the planet,” Zegree said. “That’s what they are going to remember. They might not remember that class freshman year, but they will remember being on stage with Tim Noble.”

Noble said he is looking forward to performing with the Singing Hoosiers.

He said he does not sing very often anymore, and he loves working with students.

“I think it’s what keeps me going,” Noble said. “It keeps me young.”

In 1977, Zegree convinced Noble to study at IU. Noble said they have been best friends ever since.

“I can’t reiterate enough how lucky IU is to have Steve Zegree,” Noble said. “He is the best there is.”

Noble will be singing “Sorrento,” a piece he first sang in Sorrento, Italy, to his wife. She will be in attendance on Friday.

Junior member Elizabeth Rodgers said the fall preview will feature a completely new set of music with a lot of variety.

Rodgers said she is “beyond elated” to perform with Noble.

“His voice is unlike anything I’ve ever heard,” she said. “I hope I remember my words.”
Freshman Jacob Lindley said Zegree uses strategies that make the ensemble amazing.

Zegree said he wants the performances to be fun, but not at the expense of musical excellence.

“We want to establish the highest artistic standards in popular choral music, and we are doing everything we can to meet those standards,” Zegree said.