Thu, Mar 17th, 2011
A choral ensemble made up of Hocking College music students and faculty will be providing backup vocals for legendary rock musician Todd Rundgren at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo March 30 and at the Southern Theater in Columbus April 1, 2011.
Music school professor George Hertzel leveraged his long relationship with Rundgren to offer the Hocking students this rare opportunity. Hertzel has been an opening act for Rundgren on a variety of tours over the past 20 years.
“A great opportunity presented itself and I simply could not resist. I was already in discussion with Rundgren’s organization about being a backing vocalist on an upcoming tour. In that conversation, I also mentioned that we had a growing and thriving music program at Hocking College. Subsequently, they asked if I could provide a small choir consisting of our music students for two shows at the end of March and beginning of April. When I ran this proposal by the Dean of Arts and Sciences (Laurel Ransom), we agreed that this would be a rare and valuable experience for our students. After getting “the green light”, I accepted this opportunity and immediately went to work coordinating the effort,” Hertzel said.
Students went through a rigorous audition process and are currently rehearsing for the shows under the direction of music faculty members Megan Cameron and Jesse Heetland. Dr. Dirk Hilyer, choirmaster for the Rundgren shows, also traveled from Boston to rehearse with the ensemble.
The following students were selected to represent the College: Alison DiCarlo, Jennica Haller, Kym Henry, Alexandra Homegardner, Natalie Launer, Tamisha Nuckols, Kelsie Ross, Amber Stilson, Miguel Abad, Jon Hull, Ian Malachai, David Potts and Chris Vaught.
Megan Cameron, Jesse Heetland and George Hertzel will be part of the ensemble as well.
The 2011 “Todd/Healing Albums Live” tour will revisit music recorded by Rundgren in 1973 and 1981 respectively. Vocal ensembles from Princeton University and Berklee College of Music have been selected for other shows, but only Hocking College has been asked to perform at two shows. Tickets for both performances, and the entire Todd Rundgren tour, can be purchased online through www.ticketmaster.com.
Music school professor George Hertzel leveraged his long relationship with Rundgren to offer the Hocking students this rare opportunity. Hertzel has been an opening act for Rundgren on a variety of tours over the past 20 years.
“A great opportunity presented itself and I simply could not resist. I was already in discussion with Rundgren’s organization about being a backing vocalist on an upcoming tour. In that conversation, I also mentioned that we had a growing and thriving music program at Hocking College. Subsequently, they asked if I could provide a small choir consisting of our music students for two shows at the end of March and beginning of April. When I ran this proposal by the Dean of Arts and Sciences (Laurel Ransom), we agreed that this would be a rare and valuable experience for our students. After getting “the green light”, I accepted this opportunity and immediately went to work coordinating the effort,” Hertzel said.
Students went through a rigorous audition process and are currently rehearsing for the shows under the direction of music faculty members Megan Cameron and Jesse Heetland. Dr. Dirk Hilyer, choirmaster for the Rundgren shows, also traveled from Boston to rehearse with the ensemble.
The following students were selected to represent the College: Alison DiCarlo, Jennica Haller, Kym Henry, Alexandra Homegardner, Natalie Launer, Tamisha Nuckols, Kelsie Ross, Amber Stilson, Miguel Abad, Jon Hull, Ian Malachai, David Potts and Chris Vaught.
Megan Cameron, Jesse Heetland and George Hertzel will be part of the ensemble as well.
The 2011 “Todd/Healing Albums Live” tour will revisit music recorded by Rundgren in 1973 and 1981 respectively. Vocal ensembles from Princeton University and Berklee College of Music have been selected for other shows, but only Hocking College has been asked to perform at two shows. Tickets for both performances, and the entire Todd Rundgren tour, can be purchased online through www.ticketmaster.com.
