Northwestern Singers rocking Bach; Singers joining with RCC’s Frequency for one-of-a-kind spring show
Published 10:54 am Wednesday, May 6, 2015
The Northwestern Singers rehearse Tuesday night for their upcoming annual spring concert this Friday at the Historic Paramount Theatre. — Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Northwestern Singers are back and they are bringing friends.
The popular local singing group is collaborating with Frequency, a choir ensemble from Riverland Community College, for its annual spring show at 7 p.m. this Saturday at the Historic Paramount Theatre.
Blankenbaker
The show, directed by RCC music director Scott Blankenbaker, is combining the best of both worlds for this. And the title says it all: “Bach to Rock.”
“It’s just an allusion to the fact that we’re doing such a mix of styles,” Blankenbaker explained. “We have really only one piece by Bach himself, but we do cover a few centuries of music.”
Alice Holst, a long-time member of the Northwestern Singers agreed, saying not only was there a song for everybody in the singers, but the audience as well.
“It’s a nice diversified program,” Holst said. “There’s something for everyone.”
“Everyone was really excited about it,” Holst continued. “The reason being is our crowds are no different from our audience. We have those that would love to do just classical music all of the time and some that would like to do just show-tune stuff with choreography. This turned into a real nice balance of that.”
The idea to include Frequency in the show just adds to that. A long-standing idea, a collaboration between the two groups has always been a target, but schedules just never worked out.
Looking at the two groups and how similar they are, the it’s an obvious step.
“Even in the Northwestern Singers, there are several who are alumni of the college here,” Blankenbaker said. “Alice Holst is a great example of that. She’s been out here with our alumni group. One of the ways we fit together is that eclectic mix of choirs. It’s one of the common things with both groups.”
Like the Northwestern Singers, Blankenbaker finds the members of Frequency are buying wholeheartedly into the concept, but it’s not without it’s challenges.
“One of the challenges is that Frequency is also a class so they meet during the day time,” Blankebaker said. “So many of the students are involved in other things and they have work. We’ve had to rehearse these two groups separately. It’s one of the unique challenges.
Nikky Tolde sings during a rehearsel Wednesday night at the Paramount Theatre for the upcoming Northwestern Singers annual spring show.
In the end though, it’s just going to be a fun show, and Holst believes that will be reflected in the choice of songs.
“It will be a very entertaining concert,” she said. “We’re only doing one show so I hope we can have a real good show at the Paramount.”
“Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the Austin ArtWorks Center or by calling 507-433-0547.
