2008 Woodie Awards
Season closing for two UM a cappella groups
Zach Dionne
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Style
Friday will mark the last opportunity of the semester to enjoy the sounds of the Maine Steiners and Renaissance, the University of Maine's premier male and female a cappella groups, as they showcase a free choral double feature at the Maine Center for the Arts at 7 p.m.
Both groups have produced albums this year, with Renaissance's "Illumination" released several months ago and the Steiners' "You Play the Guiro" seeing release within the past week. Both albums are professional-quality studio recordings. The two groups, who often perform with each other and are rooted in the University Singers ensemble, will sell albums at the performance and are looking forward to the final show of the semester.
"The biggest thing is that we're sponsored by CAB this year, so the show's free to UMaine students," said Lee Hunter, a third-year Steiner and president of University Singers.
The all-male Colby Eight from Colby College will open the show, singing "six or so songs," according to Hunter.
Hunter also noted that the groups are trying to make a deal for local high school students to receive half-price tickets. "Unlike a lot of college groups, we kind of cater to the high school audience, too," Hunter said. "We try to promote choral singing and a cappella singing in high school." Both a cappella groups sing at high schools in the area and throughout Maine, as well as on the numerous stops at high schools during the annual University Singers spring tour.
"It's going to be an awesome show, probably a couple hours long, lots of music," Hunter said. "At least probably 40 to 45 minutes from both of the UMaine groups and probably a half-hour total from the Colby Eight."
Tickets are free for UMaine students with a MaineCard and will be available at the box office for $6 for non-students.
Both groups have produced albums this year, with Renaissance's "Illumination" released several months ago and the Steiners' "You Play the Guiro" seeing release within the past week. Both albums are professional-quality studio recordings. The two groups, who often perform with each other and are rooted in the University Singers ensemble, will sell albums at the performance and are looking forward to the final show of the semester.
"The biggest thing is that we're sponsored by CAB this year, so the show's free to UMaine students," said Lee Hunter, a third-year Steiner and president of University Singers.
The all-male Colby Eight from Colby College will open the show, singing "six or so songs," according to Hunter.
Hunter also noted that the groups are trying to make a deal for local high school students to receive half-price tickets. "Unlike a lot of college groups, we kind of cater to the high school audience, too," Hunter said. "We try to promote choral singing and a cappella singing in high school." Both a cappella groups sing at high schools in the area and throughout Maine, as well as on the numerous stops at high schools during the annual University Singers spring tour.
"It's going to be an awesome show, probably a couple hours long, lots of music," Hunter said. "At least probably 40 to 45 minutes from both of the UMaine groups and probably a half-hour total from the Colby Eight."
Tickets are free for UMaine students with a MaineCard and will be available at the box office for $6 for non-students.
Be the first to comment on this story