It may seem impossible the Ball State University Singers can put on original programming while still giving the audience its trademark style.
Director Jeffrey Carter said, however, that the 40-member vocal ensemble generally pulls this off and will continue the trend with "Spectacular 2002" at 7:30 Saturday night in Emens Auditorium.
This year marks the 38th annual "Spectac-ular" program put on by the University Singers. Carter said this year's show is filled with musical diversity.
"The typical show choir does a 20-minute set with a predictable pattern," he said. "Not us."
Carter said "Spectacular 2002" will be more like a Broadway revue than a show-choir presentation, and it will include music from television show theme songs to dance numbers from Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation."
"We've got some classic rock 'n' roll, Styx and Three Dog Night," he said.
It will also include more use of video, Carter said.
Another original aspect to this year's program will include a patriotic section in remembrance of Sept. 11.
"There will be some tear-jerker moments," Carter said.
Planning for a new show starts as early as a year in advance.
"A month ago I was making notes for next year," he said.
With all of the added features to this annual show, there are a few concepts that will remain the same.
Carter said there will be about eight costume changes in the program, but a large percentage of those costumes are from previous years' shows.
He said the reason for this is to help the University Singers save money but also to give the audience a sense of tradition on the part of the group.
Another tradition for "Spectacular 2002" is student input.
Carter said student ideas are part of what makes the show work, and many of the program ideas used in the show are generated by students.
He said University Singers are no strangers to hard work, and the students have put a lot of energy into this year's show. The group rehearses anywhere from two to six hours a week, sometimes more, depending on how close the next performance is.
Tickets for "Spectacular 2002" are available to students free of charge. Students must pick them up from the Emens Box Office no later than 4:30 today.
General admission tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. Reserve seating is available through the box office for $13. The show is two hours and 15 minutes long.
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