Looking for a distraction the weekend before finals? Travel back in time and watch the Miami University Choraliers celebrate their 100th anniversary with a tribute of songs to the last 10 decades.
Directed by William Bausano, the performance will be at 8 p.m. Friday at Hall Auditorium.
"It's a very unique concert, because I've organized the concert into 10 decades, in each of these we will perform two pieces of music from the decade," Bausano said. "It's also unique because more than 60 alumni are coming back and during their particular decade, they will come on stage and perform with the Choraliers."
Bausano said before the Choraliers start each decade of song, President David Hodge will serve as the narrator and give a brief history of the major events going on during the time, both around the globe and at Miami. A slide-show presentation will also take place throughout the concert so audience members get a feel of major historical events and a history of the Choraliers.
Although there was a period between 2004-06 when Bausano was not directing, he has been the conductor since 2000 and said he truly appreciates the quality of the Choraliers.
"Like other ensemble groups on campus, our group is unique because it has music majors and non-music majors," Bausano said. "For me, it's always a special gratification when both majors and non-majors are able to reach the high standard and perform with such quality, and the Choraliers have done that."
With 60 students in the ensemble this semester, the Choraliers are usually seen performing in Hall Auditorium or Kumler Chapel. However, Bausano said they have performed twice in Cincinnati and in Richmond, Ind., this year, but they don't just perform close to Oxford. The Choraliers traveled overseas and performed throughout parts of Italy and Greece in May 2008.
Junior Alex Cowper joined the Choraliers her first year at Miami and said some of her favorite performances were on the tour of Italy and Greece.
"At one point, we were in this beautiful church right off a side street in Florence," Cowper said. "The doors were open to the public and passersby could filter in and out as they pleased. We acquired quite a collection of people at the end of the concert and received a standing ovation for our performance. It gave me goose bumps. It was quite an experience."
Currently, Cowper is treasurer for the ensemble and said she has made some of her best memories of college while in the group.
"I know that when I'm graduated and looking back, one of the fondest times I'll have from school is being a member of the Choraliers," Cowper said. "I love how the music brings together such a diverse group of girls. I met some of my closest friends through Choraliers. Dr. Bausano definitely plays a part to our cohesiveness … truly bringing personality and humor to the atmosphere. It's nice to be able to look forward to class."
Cowper also encouraged students and members of the community to come to the free show Friday.
"This next performance on Friday is going to be phenomenal," Cowper said. "We bring a lot of variety to this concert and I know the girls are having a lot of fun singing different genres of music from the various decades. I'm also very excited to have a collaborative choir comprised of our own girls and alumni ... I think it will be something Miami University will really cherish."
