2008 Woodie Awards
MU students to star in NBC competition
3 singers will perform in Nick Lachey's ensemble as part of 'Clash of the Choirs'
Ann Koblenzer
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Front Page
While most students are stressing about finals and the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone, three Miami University students are stressing about their national television debut.
Seniors Lisa Baldwin, Christy Ledden and junior Jordan Thompson will be competing in the live NBC amateur choir competition, Clash of the Choirs, as members of the Cincinnati choir directed by local celebrity Nick Lachey.
According to NBC's Web site, the show will feature choirs from five different cities with celebrity directors and begins live on NBC at 8 p.m. Dec. 17.
Participating in the competition are choirs from Houston, directed by Kelly Rowland; Philadelphia, directed by Patti Labelle; Oklahoma City, directed by Blake Shelton; and New Haven, Conn., directed by Michael Bolton.
The celebrities will be working with the singers to create America's best amateur choir.
According to Ethan Sperry, director of Miami's Collegiate Chorale, the show is a change of pace for the usual emphasis on solo pop careers.
"I think that it is pretty cool that they are emphasizing the team aspect of singing, not just the solo aspect," Sperry said.
During the four day competition beginning Dec. 17 and ending Dec. 20, the choirs will sing a variety of songs, both holiday and pop. The winning choir not only gains bragging rights for their director, but a $250,000 donation to a charity in their area.
If the Cincinnati choir wins, the money will go to the Cincinnati Children's hospital, said Ledden.
The students have been rehearsing daily since the Friday following Thanksgiving and are feeling the stress of finals and preparing for their television debut, according to Baldwin.
"It doesn't really matter that we have to rehearse so much and that we are so busy … sure we get to be on TV, but it is for a really good cause," Baldwin said.
Their time as members of Miami's Collegiate Chorale have helped them learn not only the technical aspects of performing, but also how to work well with others, according to Baldwin.
Seniors Lisa Baldwin, Christy Ledden and junior Jordan Thompson will be competing in the live NBC amateur choir competition, Clash of the Choirs, as members of the Cincinnati choir directed by local celebrity Nick Lachey.
According to NBC's Web site, the show will feature choirs from five different cities with celebrity directors and begins live on NBC at 8 p.m. Dec. 17.
Participating in the competition are choirs from Houston, directed by Kelly Rowland; Philadelphia, directed by Patti Labelle; Oklahoma City, directed by Blake Shelton; and New Haven, Conn., directed by Michael Bolton.
The celebrities will be working with the singers to create America's best amateur choir.
According to Ethan Sperry, director of Miami's Collegiate Chorale, the show is a change of pace for the usual emphasis on solo pop careers.
"I think that it is pretty cool that they are emphasizing the team aspect of singing, not just the solo aspect," Sperry said.
During the four day competition beginning Dec. 17 and ending Dec. 20, the choirs will sing a variety of songs, both holiday and pop. The winning choir not only gains bragging rights for their director, but a $250,000 donation to a charity in their area.
If the Cincinnati choir wins, the money will go to the Cincinnati Children's hospital, said Ledden.
The students have been rehearsing daily since the Friday following Thanksgiving and are feeling the stress of finals and preparing for their television debut, according to Baldwin.
"It doesn't really matter that we have to rehearse so much and that we are so busy … sure we get to be on TV, but it is for a really good cause," Baldwin said.
Their time as members of Miami's Collegiate Chorale have helped them learn not only the technical aspects of performing, but also how to work well with others, according to Baldwin.
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