After auditioning for a few plays and checking out some campus choral groups, Sara Iden and Shawn Morris thought they had struck out in their search for a creative forum at MSU.
“We auditioned for some plays, and we wanted to do some choir stuff, but everything was already too far along or you had to audition,” said Iden, a psychology sophomore. “That took up a lot of time, and you had to pay for things, and it was just too competitive.”
So along with finance sophomore Jacob Winston-Galant, Iden and Morris created their own campus group - Spartan Spectacular.
The group is a medium for expression of voice and movement that fits more easily into the busy schedules of students not studying music, dance or theater.
“We wanted to make a group that was just fun, that was for people who like to sing, just to fun-sing,” Iden said.
While Spartan Spectacular does include a choral element, Morris said its style is not to be confused with that of a cappella ensembles such as Ladies First or Wicked Kiwi.
“As opposed to other singing groups on campus, we also incorporate dance and try to do nontraditional songs,” the English sophomore said. “We want to sing what we want, how we want.”
Iden said Spartan Spectacular will be focusing less on choir music and more on popular songs.
“We want to sing songs from musicals, Broadway tunes,” she said. “We do put dance into it, too, so it’s more of a performing choir.”
The members of Spartan Spectacular will perform in their first gig together at 7 p.m. April 12 at the University Club during the Minorities and Internationals in Human Resources dinner.
Iden said they plan to sing a medley of “Fame,” “Waterloo” and “Sparkling Diamond,” arranged by the group.
“Right now we’re just concentrating on the end of this year,” she said. “We have four members, but we want to get at least 10 to 15 people by next year.”
Spartan Spectacular members anticipate having a larger concert at the end of the semester next fall.
The group is open to all students, both men and women of all vocal ranges. For more information, e-mail idensara@msu.edu or morri210@msu.edu, or call (517)355-3619.
