The Singing Hoosiers will be performing its annual holiday show, Chimes of Christmas at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the IU Auditorium.
The show will feature classic Christmas and Hanukkah pieces, a collaboration with the IU Children’s Choir, upbeat choreography and guitar ensembles. Each year, the group formulates a lineup that showcases a blend of new elements and traditions from shows past. There will also be an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Though popularly associated with Christmas, director of marketing Haley Sample said there is something for everyone, no matter what they celebrate or what type of music they prefer.
“We work hard every year to make sure everyone leaves the show feeling in the holiday spirit,” Sample said. “That being said, we always try to bring new aspects as well. We are bringing in incredible guest artists that will make the show even more unique.”
This year, the group was tasked with preparing the show in only three weeks, compared to the five to eight weeks they normally have. Sample said the group is excited to show the audience how flexible it can be under such tight time constraints.
“It has been a lot of hard work, but luckily we have a great director and great choreographers who are efficient and encouraging in teaching the repertoire,” sophomore member Nick Falter said. “They make it easier.”
In the early 1950s, the group began as the Men’s Concert Choir with 50 members. Seventy years later, the Singing Hoosiers now have 85 members from a variety of majors, not just the Jacobs School of Music. The group has performed in 18 states and 26 countries.
Smaller groups also exist within the Singing Hoosiers, including specialty dancers, a jazz vocal ensemble and an a cappella group.
“I’ve always been told Chimes is ‘a magical time’ and I really didn’t believe it until I performed in it last year,” Falter said. “There’s just something special about how everyone comes together to celebrate in my opinion ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’”
Student tickets start at $13, and adult tickets start at $17. Tickets can be found here.
