Eastern’s University Choir might sometimes be the overlooked choral ensemble on campus. Eastern’s University Choir is open to any students who want to join and directed by the music department’s director of recruitment and director of multiple choirs at Eastern, Perry Brisbon. Although we get to hear University Choir at the fall and spring music festivals, and other musical events throughout the year, such as chapels, the choir has not previously had something to make it stand out, the way Turning Point or Angels of Harmony do.
But that is about to change! University Choir is undergoing a rebrand and change in sound this year. This year, the choir will be more student-led and become more of a show choir, reintroducing themselves with a new name: The Overtones! EU students Mya Cherneski and Isaiah Samuel, the co-presidents of Overtones, were in charge of the rebrand.
Both students have been involved in the choir for three years, and now they are taking initiative for the choir. Samuel described how he “worked with Mya to further develop ideas… that we think could benefit the group and gain interest. This includes [everything from] talking, scheduling and recruiting to music selection and soloist selections after auditions.”
Cherneski, who has been involved with the choir for three years, described herself as “the creative director” of this transition. Over email, she explained that she “came to our director with an idea to make this choir unique.”
“Our motto is ‘People who love to sing, singing the music they love,’” she wrote. “We want everyone to be able to have fun – from the performers to the people in the audience. It’s something that isn’t currently a part of our choral programs and we are excited to bring that to the table.”
Formerly, (according to the EU website,) University Choir has “provided intensive training in all aspects of choral singing, aiming at performances that display vibrancy and beauty.” Now, the choir is, in Cherneski’s words, “less about sticking to sheet music and more about having fun… bring[ing] others joy!”
Both Cherneski and Samuel want to extend an invitation to all EU students to engage with Overtones. “We would love for people to keep up with us on social media and come join us to sing if they feel so inclined.” Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:20 p.m., Overtones would love to have you!
