Capitol times. (Middletown, Pa.) 1982-2013, November 04, 2009, Image 1
Volume 49 No. 4 Novernoer 4 zOO9 Braaaaaiiiiinnnnsss Zombies invade Harrisburg or page 4, Homeless in Harrisburg Read an in-depth report by oui own Seppideh Safaee-Semiromi on pages 6 and 7 ‘Little Shop’ and big plants The Capital Players prepare for their big production of “Little Shop of Horrors” on page 10 Construction on Interstate-81 Get the details and how it affects you on page 5 ‘Twihard’ with a vengeance A popular vampire series wreaks its havoc on PSU-Harrisburg Sheetz vs. Rutters Two cheap, late-night options come to a head on page 13 in our continuing series of cheap eats in the area Games and comics Ignore class with the laughs and brain-twisters provided on page 17 for your enjoyment Index: News 4-7 Opinion 8-9 Campus Life 10-11 Entertainment 12-14 Sports 15 Police, Calendar 16 Comics/Games 17 The Branches unite at Whitaker By VINCENT DANGOLOVICH Staff Writer VWDsoo6@psu.edu The choirs of six Penn State Campuses performed in “Raise the Song” at the Sunoco Performance Theater of the Whitaker Center. The Capital Campus Choir, directed by David Deitz, hosted young singers from Harrisburg, Berks, Altoona, Eire, Shuykill and State College. Each group briefly performed as separate choirs to a packed house before combining for the finale and the Penn State Alma Mater. Director of Humanities at the Harrisburg branch, Kathryn D. Robinson, summed up the concert’s humble beginnings in her opening remarks. “What started as a high school workshop one year ago has blossomed into a state wide event,” said Robinson. Lion Ambassadors lan Rowles and Soumya Immella were on hand to take tickets and hand out programs but admitted an ulterior motive for their presence: the support of friend and fellow Lion Ambassador Kahn Vaidya. Others attended for simpler reasons. “The ticket price was good,” joked Penn State alumnus Chuck Romigh, referring to the free admission cost. Darrell and Cynthia Diodato came for other reasons. With a son currently in his senior year at University Park and another planning to attend the Harrisburg branch, they were curious about the performance aspect of the University. “We love music,” said Cynthia Diodato, smiling at her husband. “It brings back memories of college choir.” While neither Darrell nor Cynthia Diodato were alumni or music majors, they were very pleased to be in attendance. Darrell Diodato mentioned that Penn State was performing a Capital Ti great service to the community in holding such events. Cynthia Diodato, recalling fond college experiences and friendships, concurred. “I think it’s really great that kids who are non music majors that opportunity,” said Cynthia Diodato. Not all campuses are not staffed or built to accommodate a full music department like University Park. Of the 183 students performing, 138 were in a major not related to music. This did not prevent them from putting on an entertaining evening. They half-marched, half-danced their way onstage while singing two rhythmic arrangements. They elicited laughs as the men of the choir sang a humorous song about Noah’s Arc and finished with a stirring number by Ysaye M. Barnwell. Entitled “We Are,” soloists Steven Howell and Sally Sutton mesmerized the crowd as the CCC carried the backing music. Conductor Bonnie Cutsforth- Huber of Penn State Altoona led her choir in three songs from popular musicals. “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray got the audience to clap along as mes the students danced and clapped to the Motown inspired tune. Clad in black tuxedos and evening gowns, the concert choir of University Park displayed its musical prowess with several challenging arrangements. Two selections from “Three Australian Bush Songs” had Drafall conducting students to sing in a depiction of Dawn and Birds including simulated birdsong by the students. As impressive as each branch choir was, Penn State Laureate Tony Leach stole the evening when all of them combined to do the Alma Mater with the audience. “If you don’t know the Penn State Alma Mater,” Mr. Leach warned, “you’ll just have to listen to the first verse and hum along... Everyone will sing or there will be a rehearsal.” The entire auditorium laughed at this comment, yet everyone stood to sing with the assembled choirs. The grand display of Penn State unity clearly moved all attending the evening. They collectively, as the Alma Mater states, “raised the song.” The audience remained standing at the song’s end. Only now they did not sing, they applauded. “I don’t think there was a better way to meet the directors and their choirs,” said Christopher Evans, conductor of the Schuylkill University Choir. “Interaction leads to improvement and I think the students had something to learn from all.” “It was an opportunity to see all the choirs doing the same work... working hard,” said D. Jason Bishop, conductor of the Behrend Campus concert choir and chamber singers. “I think we have to do this again.” Director of Humanities at the Harrisburg branch Kathryn D. Robinson commented that bringing all the campuses back to a neutral performance space like the Whitaker Center in the state capital would be most prudent. It would showcase Penn State in a place of prominence where it was well attended, appreciated and meaningful. Perhaps the words of Tony Leach provide the best support for why “Raise the Song” was a such a success: “Music is important in our lives. We give it our time, [and] our energy... Joy comes from sharing that music.”