Singing Hoosiers announce auditions for this year's season

Students with musical inclinations, regardless of major, will soon have an opportunity to practice their talent in an award-winning ensemble. IU's concert show choir, the Singing Hoosiers, will be holding auditions for any IU student Friday and Saturday. \nThe audition process begins with a meeting at 7 p.m. tonight in Room 404 of the Music Annex. Auditions will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m Saturday.\nThe Singing Hoosiers are renowned across the country as one of the best university show choirs. The more than 100 members of the ensemble are drawn from all four years and a variety of majors.\nWhile performing a variety of musical styles, ranging from classical and American popular music to jazz and Broadway showtunes, the Singing Hoosiers also involve choreography in their productions.\nThe group performs several concerts on campus, including the Chimes of Christmas concert and the Spring Concert, both annual IU traditions. The group also sings in productions of the School of Music, such as operas and oratorios, and even performs at sporting events.\nThe Singing Hoosiers perform throughout the Midwest and the nation. Director Michael Schwartzkopf refers to the ensemble as "the musical ambassadors of IU."\nThe singers have appeared with several big-name entertainers, such as Bob Hope, Alan Sherman, Red Buttons, Tony Bennett and Duke Ellington. They also have a history with IU's own Hoagy Carmichael, who contributed to the group's foundation in 1950. They have also performed with opera legend Sylvia McNair and with several professional symphony orchestras, including the Indianapolis and Detroit Symphony Orchestras.\nWith Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops, the Singing Hoosiers performed at Carnegie Hall in 1995 and appeared on PBS. This partnership with the Pops has resulted in the release of several recordings on the Telarc International label, one of which is the Grammy-nominated "A Disney Spectacular."\nTo register for an audition, call 855-0427 and for additional audition information, visit www.singinghoosiers.org.