When most students think of opera they likely conjure images of a phantom in a mask or of a large woman wearing a horned helmet while belting out songs at decibel levels too high for the human ear to hear. These stereotypes, while not undeserved, often prevent students from experiencing the artistic magnificence of the operatic tradition. ACU ... [Read More…]
Switchfoot’s ‘Fading West’ tour comes to Abilene
The Grammy Award-winning band Switchfoot will perform in concert at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Abilene Civic Center. The band is in the midst of several projects. Switchfoot was scheduled to perform in November of last year but had to reschedule because of weather complications. "We were really looking forward to [performing in Abilene] ... [Read More…]
SpringFest to feature ACU student bands
The Student Alumni Association will host SpringFest at 7 p.m. on April 3 on the basketball courts outside of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. SpringFest will feature free performances by eight bands, including The Dogwoods and Sunset at Ivry. Drew Ritchie, junior biblical text major from Lake Jackson and vice president of Student ... [Read More…]
Choral artist-in-residence visits campus
This week only, from March 3-5, ACU's music department will host its first ever Choral Artist-in-Residence, ACU alum Dianne Brumley. Brumley is the director emeritus of choral studies at the University of Texas at Brownville. She brings with her the experience of a career of more than 40 years in the rehearsal room and on stage. After graduating ... [Read More…]
Lea Michele’s ‘Louder’ fails to make noise
Glee's signature diva Lea Michele released her first solo album, "Louder", this week marking the beginning of her attempt to transfer from the Broadway and TV worlds into a career as a solo artist. Michele grew up on Broadway and is known for her effortless high notes and emotional performances. "Louder" attempts to balance this persona with a ... [Read More…]
Just your cup of tea: The British musicians we love
Bad teeth, worse food and abysmal weather. Doctor Who, James Bond and Sherlock. These are just a few of the associations casually tossed at the English like so many cups of hot earl grey tea. Studying abroad in Oxford is a useful way to dispel some of the more farfetched ideas that we tend to hold about the United Kingdom, but there are already ... [Read More…]
Notes & Joe to benefit community
Coffee and music will lead the way for Project Merge's first Notes N Joe Benefit Concert at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Shore Art Gallery. Project Merge is a student-led home renovation project that serves Abilene families in need of significant home improvements. Its website describes the organization as "ACU's very own Extreme Home Makeover." The ... [Read More…]
ACU choir tours Dallas for the weekend
After a semester of preparation, the ACU Music Department's A Cappella Chorus performed last weekend at various churches and schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for their Spring Tour. The trip was led by Director of Choral Activities Jeffery Goolsby. "All this is covered in the music department budget," Goolsby said. "It's very expensive ... [Read More…]
Pulse a capella hits the right note
A capella music has been at the forefront of pop culture in recent years. With Sing-Off winner, Pentatonix, the Barden Bellas of Pitch Perfect, the Dalton Academy Warblers on Glee, and a plethora of a capella covers on YouTube, we have had no shortage of instrument-free pop tunes. The ACU campus, rooted in the a capella tradition because of its ... [Read More…]
ACU’s A Capella Chorus continues long tradition
Because of ACU's Church of Christ background, a capella music has been an important part of university culture. One of ACU's oldest a cappella groups is the A Capella Chorus, directed by Jeff Goolsby. From a young age Goolsby knew that music was "the only thing" he wanted to do. He graduated from ACU in 2001 with a degree in music ... [Read More…]