Sunburst Singers prepare for a look at American strength
After microphone checks and stage placement, a group of 12 Utah State University students casually joke around, sing random strains of rhythm and melod, and pass casual greetings back and forth. Once their director steps in front of them, the musicians simmer down to listen to his instruction and immediately break into the relaxed, yet precise harmonies of their first song.
This camaraderie and chemistry helps the Sunburst Singers, a USU performing group directed by Derek Furch, director of Programs and Entertainment, perform with excitement and energy. The group performs in conjunction with the Sunburst Dancers to comprise the audition-based performance group, the Sunburst Club.
Members of the Sunburst Club practice for vocal, dance, tap, ballroom and swing aspects of the show for up to 20 hours a week to ensure perfection in their performances. Students put in the time because they enjoy performing and developing their talents, Furch said.
“I do it because of my love for performing. There’s nothing better than getting up there and performing,” Chelsea Davis, a USU freshman, said.
She said she enjoys the instruction she receives because “Derek teaches so much, he’s incredible. He knows everything about everything.”
Furch said, auditions for the group are held in April for the following school year, and practices start as soon as possible to prepare for the group’s touring and performance schedule. Because each member must re-audition annually and only 12 dancers and 12 singers are chosen from over 100 applicants, the group changes every year.
The Sunburst Club will be traveling to Sun Valley to give three shows to more than 5,000 people and will also perform in Pocatello, Idaho. Other performances will be held in southern Utah at the Tuacahn Amphitheater in April. Through November and December, the group will be performing at private Christmas parties and caroling on campus and at select public venues as the Aggie Carolers, Furch said.
The Sunburst Club is most well-known for their Glenn Miller Band performances. This year, the style of the performance, now titled When America Sings, has been changed. It will run in conjunction with the Olympics, from the end of January through March, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night on campus Furch said. The group will also hold two performances exclusively for USU students to attend.
“The theme [When America Sings] is that America has been through a lot and always finds a way out,” Furch said. The program is a “nostalgic” tour of music through the history of the country, he said. It will include dinner and dancing to music provided by the Crestmar Orchestra, followed by an elegant floor show and singing.
Aside from performing to develop skills and for the sole enjoyment of entertaining, the Sunburst Club feels a responsibility to represent USU.
“The group does have a specific mission to perform outreach and built publicity for the university and we look for opportunities to do that,” Furch said.