Butler Vocal Music Department Presents Concert ‘Lessons from Children’

The show, “Lessons from Children,” will be held in the Butler Community College Fine Arts Auditorium Oct. 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.  The concert will feature Butler’s seven vocal music ensembles in a performance exploring lessons learned from children.

Each of Butler’s vocal concerts this year will explore themes associated with a person’s journey through life. “Lessons from Children” begins the series. “Music teaches so many valuable lessons and this program is meant to inspire and educate the child in us all,” said Valerie Lippoldt-Mack, lead vocal music instructor. “We, as a faculty, wanted to present a concert using the innocence of a child and how the child sees the world.”

Mack directs the men’s barbershop quartet, the Smorgaschords, and the mixed-voice showchoir, The Butler Headliners, whose set is titled “Lessons from Ahhhs!” a re-imagining from Dorothy's perspective of her journey down the yellow brick road.

The 130-member Butler Concert Choir, directed by Professor of Music Matthew Udland, will take a trip around the world with a multi-lingual, multi-style, traditional choral performance of children’s music and folk songs. Udland also directs the small pop group, A Cappella, whose set will feature children’s songs and songs exploring memories of childhood.

The 28-member Butler Chamber Singers, under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Henry Waters, will perform “Jenny Rebecca” arranged by Clair T. McElfresh and made popular by Barbra Streisand. They will also perform other songs exploring the theme of childhood including Moses Hogan’s arrangement of the spiritual “Walk Together, Children.”

Adjunct Instructor of Music Adam Aadalen directs the women’s barbershop quartet, the Noteables, and the women’s showchoir, The Butler Ladies, who will perform Roger Emerson’s arrangement of “ABC” by the Jackson 5, choreographed by sophomores Heather Burger and Cece Robinson.

Professor of Music Joel Knudsen and Adjunct Instructor Amy Boatman are the accompanists for the concert.

“The music will resonate with audiences of all ages, so bring the whole family to enjoy our first home concert of the school year,” Mack added. “We hope that the 2015-2016 concert series will foster an appreciation for the arts and sets the stage for the future generations of music connoisseurs.”

The Butler Fine Arts Box Office is open 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Reservations can be made by calling 316-322-3262 or online by visiting www.butlercc.edu/boxoffice. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children and senior citizens. Tickets are free with a current Butler ID. The Butler Vocal Music Department presents four concerts each year and offers full in-state tuition and book scholarships to qualifying students. Interested students should contact Valerie Lippoldt-Mack, [email protected].