Annual show focuses on patriotism without Miller
Singers, dancers and a 17-piece big band orchestra will soon be transporting the Utah State University community back to the ’40s once again.
Not only are the performers rehearsing hours on end to get ready for “When America Sings!”, but patrons have prepared themselves as well by waiting in line for up to 12 hours to reserve their seat in the audience.
The show features the talents of the Sunburst Singers, Sunburst Dancers and Crestmark Orchestra.
Derek Furch, director of the programs and entertainment department at USU, also works as the director for the show each year.
The production includes dinner, dancing and a musical production. It is more well-known from previous years as “An Evening with Glenn Miller.” The name was changed this year because of additional funding from the 2002 Cultural Olympiad and a slight change in the program, Furch said.
“Every year [the show] has a slightly different name and theme, but because the man that used to play the part of Glenn Miller isn’t doing it this year we felt it needed to be changed,” he said.
Furch said they had started planning a theme to go along with the fact that the Olympics were being held in America this year, but the events of Sept. 11 just added to the significance of the whole plan.
“We performed a few of the songs from the show at a jazz concert in Sun Valley in October and people asked us how we had prepared them so quickly since the events of Sept. 11,” he said. “We actually had all the songs planned since last year.”
Furch said he felt the America theme this year will help a lot of people to better understand what our country has been through during the past 80 years or so.
“The show focuses on everything this nation has been through, but the evening still includes classic music like In the Mood and String of Pearls,” he said.
Trisha Losee, a student in music therapy, is one of 12 students that make up the Sunburst Singers. Losee said she has a much greater appreciation for the history of this nation since working with the group.
“We have all learned a lot about the nation and sometimes it can be very touching, especially when it is done through music,” she said.
The Sunburst Singers is an audition choir which has been at USU for more than 20 years.
Each year about 200 students try out for 12 spots in the choir. The auditions are held in April and rehearsals start the first day of fall semester, Furch said.
“The students in the choir are remarkable, but after this experience they are even better. They grow musically because we sing a lot of very close harmonies and rhythms and they have to compose themselves
with a lot of poise,”
he said.
Matt Dickamore, a student in interior design, said he feels lucky and privileged to be a part of the production.
“My favorite part is that I get to be with a group of people who enjoy what they do,” he said. “Everything we do is hard though because this show is all about precision.”
Being a part of the Sunburst Singers is quite a time commitment for each of the students involved, Losee said. The students in the choir practice every school day for four hours plus an eight hour practice on Saturdays.
“We put so much into it, but I feel that we get even more out of it when we see how much people enjoy the show,” Losee said.
“It is a lot of pressure because seeing the show is a tradition for so many people. That makes us have to work even harder,” Dickamore said.
The line for tickets to see “When America Sings!” started at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, and by 5:30 p.m. when tickets sales began, more than 150 people were already in line.
Orson Christiansen, a Sandy resident, said he stayed at the University Inn Tuesday night so he could get a good choice of seats.
“We have only missed the show once in the past 22 years. This year I plan on buying 14 tickets so I had to be here early to get the best seats,” he said.
For most who attend, the show is very nostalgic because the music dates back to the 1940s.
“I love to come because it is great entertainment. We really enjoy the big bands, and my wife and I get a chance to get out on the dance floor,” Christiansen said.
Doug Sorensen, also a Sandy resident, traveled up for his sixth year in a row to get a good choice of tickets.
“This is the only place we have found that does this kind of a production. We get tremendous music from the Glenn Miller era and a wonderful prime rib dinner,” Sorensen said. “The kids who are in the show are so tremendous. We can’t praise them enough.”
The fact the name has changed a little shouldn’t deter anyone from coming, Losee said.
“Many people are concerned it isn’t Glenn Miller this year. The only difference though is that there isn’t a guy playing the part of Miller,” she said.
Furch said he is grateful for the support from the university and everyone involved.
“University students are the core of this production,” he said. “I love working with the students and seeing them accomplish so much.”
“When America Sings!” is being held in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom each weekend from Jan. 25 to March 9 excluding Feb. 8. Tickets are $46.95 per person plus tax and a handling fee. Feb. 13 and March 6 are student nights with tickets at $27 for students and their guests. For more information call 797-1738.