Purdue News

March 3, 1999 Purdue takes songs of unity 'Down Under,' Plans preview concerts WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue diversity will blend into a harmony of voices when 105 student singers from Purdue Musical Organizations and the Black Voices of Inspiration take an international tour May 18 through June 5. In preparation for their "Voices of America" tour to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, the combined ensembles will debut their performances in Fort Wayne on March 27 and on the Purdue West Lafayette campus March 31 and May 15. Although the groups have sung together twice for special Purdue events, the concerts will be their first performance together for the general public. "Their combined talents and unique sounds blend to showcase the spirit of America," said Brian Breed, director of Purdue Musical Organizations. "The songs selected for the tour will feature the national anthems and folk songs of the countries we visit, plus a broad range of music that is truly representative of a proud American heritage." The groups are excited to mirror the goals of unity while honoring diversity, Breed said. "We are the voices of America. We are all Americans. We are all Purdue," he said. The tour also will be a "welcome back" for Breed, who toured the South Pacific with the Purdue Varsity Glee Club six years ago. In Auckland, New Zealand, the ticket revenue from the Glee Club's 1993 performance helped raise money to build Holy Trinity Cathedral. Holy Trinity Cathedral Dean Emeritus J.O. Rymer described the 1993 performances as "the highlight of the year [musically] in our city." Breed recalled: "They were so incredibly responsive. We received the equivalent of a standing ovation. Only over there they don't stand. They stomp their feet, and the acoustics made it sound even louder. I'll never forget it. "We're excited to be returning. This time, we'll be performing in the new cathedral we helped build." The tour also takes the Glee Club again to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; Christchurch, New Zealand; and Nadi, Fiji. Gwenda McDonald, president of the Melbourne Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, said after the 1993 visit: "We continue to hear constant praise of the wealth of musical ability and versatility of each member of the Glee Club. They have a few thousand more fans in Melbourne who will welcome them on their next tour 'down under.'" The tour, though, is designed to do more than entertain. "The purpose of the trip is to develop a unity among Purdue students and to celebrate that unity with a worldwide audience," said Howard Lucas, assistant director of the Black Cultural Center, home of the Black Voices of Inspiration. Students preparing for the tour already are finding new friendships among the different singing groups, and students from the different choirs will room together throughout the 18-day tour. "I have been very impressed by the desire of all students to become great friends and learn about the unique approaches to making music," said bass Glee Club manager Dan Orr, a senior from Noblesville who is majoring in food processing engineering. Michelle Blackwell, a sophomore from Indianapolis who is an alto in the Black Voices of Inspiration and is majoring in psychology, law and society, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to represent Purdue and America. I feel honored to be a goodwill ambassador, and I plan on living up to that responsibility." Although only the Glee Club has toured in the past, this time the 55 men in the Glee Club will be accompanied by 20 female members of Purdue Musical Organizations, and 18 women and 12 men from the Black Voices of Inspiration. Family members and friends of the students, university personnel or alumni interested in accompanying the tour group to the South Pacific may contact PMO Club Director Amy Page Christiansen at (765) 494-3947 for more information. Purdue Concert Tour Web site contains more information. The three pretour concerts are scheduled for: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Northrop High School, Fort Wayne. Tickets are $8 at the door. 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms as part of the Glee Club's All Campus Serenade. This concert is free. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 15, in Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center, as part of the Glee Club's End of Season Concert. Tickets costs $10 for the public and $8 for students and will be available in early April at Purdue Box Offices, (765) 494-3933 or 1-800-914-SHOW. Purdue Musical Organizations is comprised of five ensembles: the Glee Club, the Purduettes, the Purdue Bell Choir, University Choir and PMO Express. Founded in 1893, the Glee Club is recognized as one of the premier all-male choral ensembles in the world. It has appeared many times on national television, at four presidential inaugurations, and at numerous regional, national and international events. The Glee Club plans an international tour every three years. In 1990, it visited England, Scotland and Wales; in 1996 the choir toured Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. Purdue has no school of music, but PMO students present more than 200 performances each year, including six Christmas shows in the 6,000-seat Elliott Hall of Music. The Black Voices of Inspiration is one of four performing groups established by the Purdue Black Cultural Center. The others are the Jahari Dance Troupe, the Haraka Writers and the New Directional Players. The choir, founded in 1975, is committed to performing music by African-American composers. Its repertoire includes traditional Negro spirituals, contemporary gospel music and pop-soul ballads. The choir is directed by artist-in-residence Marshall White, a professional vocal trainer and music consultant from Fort Wayne with more than 20 years of choral experience. The choir has won several awards of excellence and has toured extensively throughout Indiana, performing at other university campuses, churches, civic organizations and elementary schools. Sources: Amy Page Christiansen, (765) 494-3947; apc@purdue.edu Howard Lucas, (765) 494-3095; hslucas@hfs.purdue.edu Writer: Jeanine Smith, (765) 423-2923 or (765) 496-3133; jeanine_smith@purdue.edu Other Web sites: Black Cultural Center Black Voices of Inspiration Purdue Musical Organizations NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: B-roll of a previous performance by the combined choirs is available. Contact Grady Jones, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2079; grady_jones@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page