1/19/2005

Jan. 18, 2005

Contact: Gordon Ovenshine 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

SRU SINGERS TO PERFORM SUNDAY AT HEINZ HALL

AS PART OF THE PNC PITTSBURGH POPS’ TRIBUTE TO IRVING BERLIN

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. --Fifteen Slippery Rock University singers will perform as part of the All-Star College Chorus when Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs a tribute to composer Irving Berlin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall. Tickets are still available.

Broadway veterans Doug LaBrecque, Debbie Gravitte and Eugene Fleming will bring to life classic tunes such as “They Say It’s Wonderful” from “Annie Get Your Gun.” Berlin composed more than 900 songs, 19 musicals and 18 movie scores.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra partners with local colleges and universities every year to form the All-Star College Chorus, under the direction of Robert Page. This year, 80 students from 11 colleges and universities comprise the chorus. Students will perform a medley of songs, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “White Christmas” and “God Bless America.”

SRU’s Kevin Smith, assistant professor of music and director of the choral studies, nominated the 15 students. “Robert Page is considered to be one of the best in the field, one of the best in the country,” he said. “Having the opportunity to work with him, the Pittsburgh Pops and Marvin Hamlisch is a great learning experience.”

SRU’s students participating and their hometowns:

Lauren Paterra, Bentleyville

Ashley Richards, Harmony

Mike Sypien, Pittsburgh

Christopher Keiper, Beaver Falls

Ashleigh Weimer, Connellsville

Lisa Cifrulak, Jefferson Hills

Michael Desnoyers, Allegheny, New York

Stephen Ball,Slippery Rock

Christiana Howell, Erie

Nicholas Kochanov, North Huntingdon

Mark Erickson, New Wilmington