UIndy Women’s Chorus and Wabash Men’s Glee Club perform
The University of Indianapolis Women’s Chorus performed with the Wabash Men’s Glee Club, a group of almost 70 students, in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center on April 2 as part of a 13-year tradition started by Associate Professor of Music and Choral Director Paul Krasnovsky.
“It was in the second or third year that I had formed this choir that we were looking for fun things to do,” Krasnovsky said.
According to Krasnovsky, the idea for the annual concert came easily.
“I know everyone at Wabash College, and it seemed like a wonderful thing to do,” Krasnovsky said. “They have a men’s glee club, and we have a women’s chorus. And it just seemed like a wonderful activity for the two.”
The event’s location alternates between Wabash College and UIndy each year.
“Every year is different. Sometimes we have had a rehearsal together, separate from the concert,” Krasnovsky said.
The Women’s Chorus, along with all other choral ensembles, hold auditions that are open to everyone.
“At the beginning of the year, we have a general audition call for all choral ensembles. The weekend before classes begin, we start auditioning people. Our group is open to all singers, no matter what their level of expertise,” Krasnovsky said. “We have women in our Women’s Chorus that are very highly trained and read brilliantly, and we have women that are really just beginners.”
When choosing what songs the two will perform, both directors spoke with one another and sent suggestions back and forth until they find the right fit for their ensembles.
“I always collaborate with my colleague Dr. Richard Bowen,” Krasnovsky said. “I made some suggestions to him and he made some to me and we arrived at our conclusions from there.”
With little time to practice together, the two conductors chose three songs. The groups sang two pieces by a revolutionary war era composer William Billings. Also performed at the event was a gospel tune by a man from Chicago named Keith Hampton.
Krasnovsky said he is proud of the overall success of this concert over the years and of this year’s concert.
“This event, I am personally very proud of it, because it has been such a success over so many years, and I think that it’s really neat,” Krasnovsky said.
Junior music major Abby Krug has been a part of the Women’s Chorus and the concert with Wabash College since she started attending college at UIndy.
“The concert is a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed it since the first year I was in Women’s Chorus. It’s really neat to get to know the guys, because they are never around girls, so they get very excited,” Abby Krug said. “They are gentlemen and very nice, and it’s fun to get to know them and hang out with them before the concert.”
According to Krug, Women’s Chorus has outdone themselves this year.
“Women’s chorus in general has been quite a fun experience. This is the year that I am most proud of everyone,” Krug said. “This year in particular, everyone has been doing a fabulous job. We are good every year, but this year everyone has kicked it up a notch.”
According to Krasnovsky, rehearsal and working with the Wabash Men’s Glee Club was a good experience for both groups this year.
“The Wabash guys were really great. They were wonderful to work with throughout the rehearsal,” Krasnovsky said.
Krasnovsky was overall very proud of the two groups in this year’s concert.
“I think this was one of the best concerts that we have ever done together. We will of course be doing this concert again next year,” Krasnovsky said. “It’s a concert that we look forward to every year.”
