Alfredo Garcia
Lantern Staff
Smorgaschorus, a men’s barber shop quartet, will perform their holiday concert at Galicha Auditorium at Wichita Collegiate on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. The group, which is conducted by Matt Weber, was invited and will perform “Hallelujah,” “What Child is this?” “Caroling Caroling” and “Carol of the Bells”. Smorgs, as they are nicknamed, have performed some of these songs before, whereas others are new additions.
“As for the show, I really hope the audience enjoys it because we didn’t get to do one last year,” said Smorgaschorus freshman Sam Rinkenbaugh said.
A little over 50 members of the Smorgaschorus are scattered around the world such as Canada, the United States and Sweden. Seventy percent of the chorus is made up of Butler alumni, which was created six years ago honoring Valerie Lippoldt-Mack, a professor of Vocal Music.
“It is the fastest growing chorus in [the] barber [type of chorus],” Mack said.
Rinkenbaugh has been a part of the group for two years when his choir teacher took his class to a guest night.
“[I] fell in love with it instantly,” Rinkenbaugh said.
Rinkenbaugh is also a part of the Headliners, one of the many different musical groups Butler offers.
“We don’t get as much rehearsal time, and all of our music is much more challenging; however, there isn’t any dancing,” Rinkenbaugh said when asked of the difference between his Headliners and Smorgaschorus rehearsals.
Like any group, the Smorgaschorus’s members grow together and form a deeper bond and friendship.
“The bond we share is awesome,” Rinkenbaugh said. “I know each and every one of us has the same goal in mind every performance.”
Tickets are availabe for students at the door at Wichita Collegiate in Galicia Theatre.