As the harmonies of the group lit up the room, the lights dimmed in McLaren for ASUSF Voices’ fall concert on Nov. 16. Starting with the protest song “Lean on Me (with We Shall Overcome)” by Mark Hayes, the concert featured all five of their different choirs: general voices, treble, basso, jazz and six.
The concert began with general voices, a four part ensemble with no auditions, featuring a range of talent. “We take everybody and we really mean that. Some people in this ensemble sounded so great, so magnificent, [and they] didn’t start singing until later in their life, or even in college,” Harrison Combs said, a junior computer science major and budget manager of ASUSF Voices. “We take them all in because we know it’s not about your talent, it’s about the teachers,” he said.
This year’s concert had an exciting announcement, as retired professor Rick Davis announced he will be creating an endowment specifically for ASUSF Voices. Davis told the audience that he bestowed $25,000 to the endowment, and urged audience members to add to his gift, to help fuel the future of the organization. Voices members and teachers gleamed as they heard the news, knowing the organization they care so much about will have a secure future.
Endowments are funds that are donated to universities, or other institutions, to provide ongoing financial support. Proudly named the Rick Roberts Endowment after the co-musical director of Voices, the gift is restricted, so it will directly fund the mission and goals of ASUSF Voices rather than the entire university. These funds are typically invested to allow long term stability and enhanced student support for the organization.
During the performance, the assistant musical directors conducted several songs in place of the typical director. Part of their role is learning how to teach and conduct through what is essentially an apprenticeship with the musical directors. The conductor was accompanied by a guitarist, drummer, bassist and accompanist that supported the lively singing. When the additional instruments weren’t playing, the choirs sung acapella recreating iconic songs only using their magnificent vocal abilities.
ASUSF Voices choirs showcased fun props during their songs, switching up the tone of the concert and matching the energy of the songs. During Basso’s performance of “Sh-boom (Life Could Be a Dream),” singers put on matching blue shimmering ties while riffing the tune without any other instruments. The trebles whipped out sunglasses during their rendition of “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire adding to the upbeat funk of the popular tune as they swayed side to side.
The jazz ensemble reworked the iconic song “Hallelujah” into an upbeat, soulful tune that wooed the crowd, inspiring them to snap along with the singers. The six group — which features two sopranos, an alto, tenor, bass and vocal percussionist — performed mashups, one being an original created by Co-Musical Director Sean Gresens. The show impressed audiences with their singing abilities and hard work. “I thought it was very beautiful, hearing everybody sing and they’re so so talented, and overall, the show was amazing,” audience member Geovana Richendollar said. “You can really tell everyone to put so much work into it.”
ASUSF Voices provides students with an opportunity to share their passion for music with one another. “Honestly, I’m just really grateful that we have this opportunity as college students. It means the world. I know these are the kind of memories we’re going to have for years and years to come,” Combs said.
While the concert is typically closer to the holidays and has a festive theme, this year it took a different turn. “Instead of sort of a festive finish, we thought, ‘let’s just send everybody off in peace,’” Rick Roberts, co-musical director said. The show ended with general voices performing “An Irish Blessing” by Joyce Eilers-Bacak and “A Gaelic Blessing” by John Rutters, ending the set on a hopeful, calming note.
