Having a merry little Christmas with chimes

The IU Auditorium and School of Music joined forces Wednesday night when the IU Singing Hoosiers took the stage with the support of the Wind Ensemble for yet another of IU's traditions -- "The Chimes of Christmas."\nLast night's performance, part of the Singing Hoosiers' 55th season, was marked by many highlights that caused audience applause to start as a low, rustling grumble and grow into a loud roar, which drowned out the brass of Handel's "Messiah."\nTwo things that impressed me the most deal with two aspects of the Singing Hoosiers: their precise choreography and their talented vocals.\nIn one number called "Parade of the Toy Soldiers," a group dressed in white tails with cream and crimson band caps pantomimed what could be interpreted as a bunch of small children celebrating the joy and innocence of the yuletide season. They were tempered by the serious, real-world presence of their commanding officer who shook a finger at them and left them all quaking in their tuxes. The whole act was accompanied by the voices of the Varsity Singers.\nAs a solo comic relief number done atop the lap of Santa Claus, alto Amy Linden, a sophomore, sang "My Simple Wish" telling, rather than asking, Santa she wanted to be rich, famous and powerful. Her vocal ability ranged from something of the low wind-up of a Broadway belter accenting a lyric for laughs to the climactically clean finish.\nIn barbershop quartet-style harmony, juniors Gerold Schroeder and Daniel J. Yarzebinski sang tenor, junior Nick Steele sang baritone and sophomore Matthew Paris Rhodes sang bass in a wonderful rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." It always amazes me when singers in a duet, trio or group are able to stand right next to each other, stick to their part and ignore the other parts to stay in key. I guess it comes down to knowing your music backward and forward.\nI think with the quality chimes I heard last night, it's safe to chime in myself and say "The Chimes of Christmas" was a great way to put everyone in the mood to walk around with their fellow man to wish everyone a "Cool Yule"