EAU CLAIRE, WIS—With the combined goals of putting on a great concert experience in the Chippewa Valley region and exposing a diverse group of college students to the barbershop artform, The Journeymen Chorus went 2 for 2 last fall.
In a first for the chorus, The Journeymen played host to a Collegiate Vocal Festival at DeLong Middle School in Eau Claire. The event featured a day full of fellowship and singing, including a masterclass on the barbershop artform presented by the chorus and guest quartet Chord Smash, plus some barbershop tag-singing and coaching and rehearsal time for each group.
The festival culminated with a concert that featured performances from each of the collegiate groups who participated, including UWEC’s The Singing Statesmen and Fifth Element A Cappella, Devil Tones A Cappella from UW-Stout and the Tenor/Bass Ensemble from UW-River Falls, and, of course, The Journeymen Chorus.
The audience of nearly 200 was also treated to a set of songs from all the groups combined as an All-Festival Chorus.
Local media coverage of the event included feature stories in UWEC’s student-run newspaper The Spectator and in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.
Among the collegians who participated, there was near universal acclaim for the event.
“Honestly, I had so much fun today, so worth the time I could be spending on homework!” one participant.
“I loved learning more about barbershop because I haven’t gotten to actually experience much barbershop before due to small choir in HS. This is pretty much the first time I’ve gotten to hear it! It’s really cool and I think it’s something I’d like to look into more,” said another.
In other words: mission accomplished.
Read more about this event from the local news stories linked below:
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