After an extensive application process, the University Singers have been invited to perform at the White House and will do so Dec. 19 under the direction of Paul Crabb.
“It’s a big deal and very exciting for us,” School of Music Director Robert Shay said. “It’s a reflection on the long-standing reputation of the University Singers and certainly Dr. Crabb’s reputation.”
The group, conducted by Crabb, has performed at two national conferences, at Yale University and in Chicago and has also performed in Italy.
“In 2010, we were invited to Italy for one week — completely paid — sponsored by private and government offices in Milan and Bologna, as well as the United States Consulate General’s Office,” Crabb said. “So those are the kinds of things that this group has earned and when those things happen we also get noticed by other organizations.”
Other such organizations include the White House who approached Crabb about applying to perform at the White House early in the semester.
“To get this opportunity to perform at this kind of venue is certainly a recognition of our accomplishments, and I know the students are very excited about it,” Crabb said.
Aside from the performers, alumni and current students are showing their pride on Facebook about the White House performance.
“I know (the performers) are very excited,” Shay said. “From what I hear, it’s something that they’ve been buzzing about and we’ve already gotten a lot of people commenting about it on Facebook and other means.”
With just more than three weeks left until the performance, the singers plan to perform music they have learned throughout the semester and add two new pieces to their repertoire.
We really only have about four or five class periods left,” Crabb said. “So I don’t have a lot of opportunity to get something new and the students of course have finals and papers. I can’t expect them to drop all their other academic obligations and require extra rehearsals.”
Although the choir is very excited about this opportunity, only about half of the choir will be traveling to D.C. to perform due to White House security.
“This decision was very difficult and painful. One of the things I had to consider, of course, was that I had to make sure I had the parts covered properly,” Crabb said. “Then, secondly, I had to consider some of seniority. Hopefully the younger people have an opportunity for some other special project before they graduate.”
Shay said the performance raises the group’s already high profile to a new level.
“It’s something they haven’t done before,” Shay said. “Obviously, the University Singers have been doing great stuff for many decades — international tours, performing at national conferences, that kind of thing. So this really adds to their resume, which is already quite substantial, but it’s certainly a nice addition.”