Back on their home stage, the Ball State University Singers opened the Hometown Christmas show Saturday night at Emens Auditorium. Dressed in white tuxes and red dresses, the coed ensemble sang eight songs, including "Frosty the Snowman" and "Swing with the Bells." The songs were based in the classic tunes but each had its own twist. Minor choreographed dancing and cheerful smiles were awarded with a large round of applause from the audience. Daryl Hurt and his wife Mary enjoyed that portion of the show immensely.
"Mary tells me how awesome the University Singers are but I had never seen them before," Daryl said. "They were."
The University Singers have traveled to over 20 countries and are planning a trip to China in May. Their most recent performances were at the White House and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Following the University Singers was a group equal in talent and younger in years. The White River Youth Choir, directed by Dr. Don Ester, is a choir with children ages 8 to 18. They travel extensively, most recently to New Zealand. Their jazz version of "Sleigh Ride" and the show's only Jewish song, "Bashana Haba'ah" brought appreciation from the audience, but their main hit was "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
Ester included the audience in the song, pairing sections of the auditorium with stanzas of the song. One group "called" to the four birds, one moved their arms up and down like chickens to "three French hens" and the last fluttered their hands like "two turtle doves." Katie Abel, who came with her friends to the concert to relax before exams, enjoyed that song the most.
"I like the participation. Christmas makes me happy," Abel said.
Daryl called the next group "very inspirational." The Magic City Music Men is an a cappella group made up of more than 20 men. They are part of the International Men's Harmony Society and use the motto "keeping the world singing."
The Music Men dressed in Santa hats and carried inflatable instruments during their renditions of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." At the end of their performance a guest singer inspired the audience with "You Raise Me Up."
"Christmas is about the birth of Christ," Daryl said. "It's programs like this that help bring that all into focus."
The Hurts came to the Hometown Christmas Show specifically to see America's Hometown Band. The band accompanied the University Singers and The White River Youth Choir in the finale, "White Christmas." It truly was a white Christmas for Emens Auditorium as snow bubbles fell from the ceiling during the last song at the Hometown Christmas Show.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
