In an effort to teach and perform more diverse styles of singing, a member of Western Illinois University’s Music faculty has established the non-profit, professional vocal ensemble, withonevoice.
Imagine hearing an ensemble belt out a musical theatre selection and directly follow it with a traditional choral standard in a completely different, Lutheran-style voice quality. The ensemble’s mission is to gather a group of artists capable of authentic, sustainable singing in multiple voice qualities, and educate future generations of singers and teachers in this pedagogy.
The ensemble, run by WIU Director of Choral Studies Brian J. Winnie, is set up as a residency from July 16-20 on the WIU campus and also is based in Chicago. The ensemble features WIU faculty, staff, student interns, and alumni.
The residency will have open rehearsals for WIU students to attend and culminates with a free public performance entitled, “Our Beating Hearts,” at WIU’s College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall, at 7:30 p.m. on July 20. A second “free” performance will be held at the Buchanan Chapel at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago, at 7:30 p.m., July 21. These performances feature more than four world premieres.
To learn more about the ensemble, or to donate to the non-profit, visit wovoice.org. One also may contact Winnie, via email at artisticdirector@wovoice.org.