The 25th anniversary of the university's A Cappella Evening will take place on 1 and 2 February - with workshops, concerts and, above all, lots of encounters.
"For me, it's the coolest evening of the year." Sina Cobi, a student on the Integrated Media Master's programme, knows what she's talking about. She is taking part in the a cappella evening for the tenth time this year as a member of the university's pop and jazz choir. "It's also a particularly nice way to end the semester," adds Rieka Bente, a student teacher of music and art and also a member of the choir. Both speak passionately about the special atmosphere during the performance and the enthusiasm that the choir shares with the audience. The A Cappella in early February is a musical highlight for the choir and the university, especially this year: the event is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Peter Vollhardt still remembers the first a cappella evening in 1995 well. Ever since he had experienced the King's Singers, a vocal ensemble from the UK, live, he had been toying with the idea of organising an a cappella event himself. It was a good coincidence that, as an artistic assistant at the Institute of Music, he was teaching a course in applied music theory. With his help, the students created choral arrangements of pop pieces. "After they had invested so much time in this, I wanted to give them a stage to present their work," says Vollhardt. The a cappella evening was born.
Other choirs quickly joined the performances, first groups from outside the university, then the university's pop and jazz choir. The event was almost always sold out right from the start. Susanne Menzel, who has directed the choir since 2008, is not surprised. The fact that the choir mainly performs pop music, i.e. popular music in the best sense of the word, is a success factor for her. She believes it is just as important that the a cappella evening is not just about musical precision and perfection, but also about a sometimes ironic approach to music and, above all, having fun together.
Anniversary with Beatles, beatboxing and encounters
This should also take centre stage at the anniversary events. This year, the a cappella evening looks a little different than usual; above all, it is more extensive. Since 2011, the concert has been held on two consecutive days due to the great interest shown. In 2020, there will be a whole weekend with a programme: In three free workshops on Sunday, interested parties - beginners and advanced, university members and non-residents - can try their hand at beatboxing, learn more about polyphony with the Beatles or work on their stage presence.
Current and former choir singers will have the opportunity to exchange ideas in a café of encounters. Many of them are travelling especially for the weekend to perform on stage once again. "Over the years, some of the participants in the arranging courses have tasted blood and founded their own vocal ensembles," explains Vollhardt. Most of the groups disbanded at some point, but six formations came together again for the anniversary: from the "Männergesangverein Concordia Pappenheim", founded in 1995, to the "Ladytunes", founded in 2015.
To ensure that all programme items can take place, the choir members have to lend a hand on the concert weekend: In addition to rehearsals and performances, they also have to take on tasks such as setting up and dismantling the technology and seating, as well as selling tickets. "Of course it's a bit stressful, especially at the end of the semester," says Mareike Gerdes, who is taking part in the a cappella evening for the fifth time this year. As a student teacher specialising in the subjects of English and music, it made sense for her to sing in the pop and jazz choir, especially as she was able to have her participation credited as a course. She stuck with it, even when there were no more credit points. Even with stress and a busy schedule, singing was never an option for her. "Making music together with the others at an a cappella evening in such a good atmosphere - it's just so much fun!"
The concerts for the 25th anniversary of the A Cappella Evening will take place on 1 February at 8.00 pm and on 2 February at 5.00 pm in the auditorium of the University of Oldenburg (Ammerländer Heerstraße 69). There are a few remaining tickets for both dates at the box office at a price of ten euros, concessions five euros.
Anyone interested in the workshops can register with Peter Vollhardt.
