Collegiate Ensemble Rep

[svalentin]

Alright everyone, here's what's going on. The University I'm employed at has a couple dozen ensembles from the music department that travel nearly every weekend and perform at schools, community events, churches, and private gigs. As well as being an administrative assistant here, I also direct one those groups. This group learns any and every kind of music, learn choreography for it as well as travel and perform on the regular. I'm currently looking for rep to include in our next season and I'm at a loss as for what I should look for that we haven't already done (Rent, Godspell, Sister Act, and All Shook Up). Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Some info about the group...

 

12-16 SATB members, Collegiate age and a very diverse group people. High energy ensemble that performs broadway, jazz, contemporary pop, top 40 hits, and gospel/contemp. christian music. We love to perform for children of all ages and travel regularly to churches and schools locally and throughout the SouthEast.

 

I would really appreciate any suggestions of any numbers (from shows or tv/radio) that would be great for a traveling ensemble to perform. Songs should be uptempo (but would appreciate ballads as well) that we could include choreography with. Provide an encouraging message to those listening and watching. And challenge us musically and artistically.

 

Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions!

[gooftroop]

I love this.  It sounds like a wonderful group to be a part of.   Have you thought of asking your members what they may want to sing and then work out arrangements of these songs?    This way you constantly have ideas rolling in and your material is always fresh and current.   Do you also have arrangers in the group or school or are you just looking for things that already exist?

[svalentin]

It really is a great group and a great group of students. They're my heart and it's such a joy to work with them. The difficult thing asking our members is that I won't know who they are until after the scholastic year begins. We will have auditions for the group within the first two weeks or so and then have about two full weekends to learn the majority of our rep before traveling. I have asked this past years members on their thoughts, but most of their suggestions are top 40 hits or gospel/christian music, which we already have plenty of. I need numbers that would also help to promote our growing Musical Theatre program her at the university. Thank you so much for your response though, I'm grateful for any insight.