On Sept. 24, Wittenberg Choir performed its annual variety show. The show was hosted by Jessica Hamm, ’17, and president of Wittenberg’s choir.
Her hosting involved many a bad pun that would put any dad to shame. She had worked on orchestrating the variety show for many weeks leading up to the show. The hard work definitely paid off.
Every seat was filled and then some. Many alumni and Wittenberg professors came to show their support. The show consisted of many performances from various members of Witt’s music department, with 16 songs in total.
The show started off strong with a beautiful performance by Irene Reising, ’17, and Deanna Torstenson, ’17, accompanied by staff accompanist Laurie Smith. They sang “Who will love me as I am?” from the musical “Side Show.” Seamus Dunphy, ’19, and Bryan Hoggatt, ’17, performed “The Way You Look Tonight” from the musical “Swing Time.” Kalen O’Daniel, ’19 showed his impressive rapping and piano playing skills with a performance of “Ultra Light Beams” by Kanye West.
My overall favorite was a women’s ensemble beautifully performing “Bring Me Little Water, Silvy”. The ensemble included Ally Peebles, ’20, Amy Gilligan, ’18, Bethany Brose, ’17, Haley Rawlings, ’20, Hamm, Sarah Knobeloch, ‘20, Tierra Harris, ’20, and Wendy Hawk, ’20.
The comical duo Morgan Beechey, ’18, and Micah Sattler, ’18 performed “Agony” from the musical “Into the Woods.” Angelique Gabrielle, ’17, displayed her classically trained voice performing “Wish You Were Somehow Here Again” from the musical “Phantom of the Opera.” Emma Kilpatrick, ’20 of Witt Singers performed “The Chain” by Ingrid Michaelson. Connie Frankenstein, ’17, performed “Dream a little Dream of Me,” while playing the ukulele as well as singing. Morgan Mitchell, 18, performed “Burn” from the musical “Hamilton.”
O’Daniel performed again, alongside Brady Fox, ’19. They sang a pop mashup: Of Monsters and Men’s “Little Talks,” Imagine Dragon’s “I Bet My Life,” and Vance Joy’s “Riptide.” Greta Andersen, ’20, and Jake Myers, ’20 performed a rendition of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah.” Dora Paige Phillips, ’20, and Kilpatrick sassily performed “Better than Revenge” by Taylor Swift. Beechey, accompanied by Smith, performed “Take Me to Church” by Hozier. Anna Fox, ‘19, also accompanied by Smith, performed “Back to Before” from the musical “Ragtime.”
At the end of the show, the choir came together and ritualistically performed “Closer to Fine” by the Indigo Girls, accompanied by alumni Elaina Vimmerstedt playing the classical guitar. And to thank all of the people that came to support the Wittenberg Choir that evening, they performed “Bravo” to the crowd.
Witt Choir has many more events this semester, including a homecoming show Oct. 9, a Reformation service in Weaver Chapel on Oct. 30.
