Vocal Showcase to offer dynamic, eclectic entertainment

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – A dynamic, eclectic collection of musical performances is coming to Laramie County Community College in November with this year’s “Vocal Showcase.”

The concert, featuring the talents of LCCC’s elite vocal ensemble Cantorei, Collegiate Choir, Jazz Ensemble and soloists, is set for 3 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on the Cheyenne campus. In addition to musicians from LCCC, East High School’s choirs, under the direction of LaDonna Backman, will be joining the performance.

The concert’s first half will feature the Collegiate Chorale and Cantorei performing masterpieces that many music fans will recognize, including Daniel Wynkoop’s Irish folk classic “The Parting Glass,” Orazio Vecchi’s “Fa una canzona” and the timeless “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” String soloists from LCCC’s Chamber Orchestra will accompany the Collegiate Chorale for a performance of “Gather at the River,” a well-known spiritual composition written by Horatio G. Spafford, Robert Lowry and Susan LaBarr in honor of Rosalynn Carter.

“The first half is quite eclectic, featuring a mix of modern and traditional music, including pieces that are hundreds of years old and everything in between," said Bethany Smith-Jacobs, LCCC choir director and voice instructor.

In the concert’s second half, audience members will enjoy an energetic lineup of jazz tunes in a special collaboration between the Cantorei and Jazz Ensemble. The performance will feature soloists in the studio of Julie Koenig, LCCC’s vocal jazz and piano instructor, and Smith-Jacob’s voice studio.

“Having the Jazz Ensemble accompany Cantorei and making the entire second half of the vocal showcase a collaboration with them is something we are really excited about at LCCC,” Smith-Jacobs said. “It speaks to our music programs’ development in recent years and shows we are capable of more dynamic and complex performances, which benefit our students and the community.”  

The Vocal Showcase concert is free and open to the public.

For more information on the event and LCCC’s vocal music programs, contact Bethany Smith-Jacobs at bsmith1FREELARAMIE or 307.778.1316 or visit lccc.wy.edu. Those needing assistance to attend events can contact the LCCC Office of Student Accommodations at 307.778.1359.