Dr. Andrew White
Nebraskats director, 308.865.8610
UNK- The University of Nebraska at Kearney Nebraskats, a 14-voice show choir, will begin their spring concert tour to Chicago this week.
The five-day tour, March 26-30, will open in Lincoln Friday with a 7 p.m. performance at the Lincoln Community Playhouse on the way to Chicago. Although there is no admission charge for the Lincoln performance, a free-will offering will be taken.
In Chicago, the group will perform at the Navy Pier, Lutheran Home Services, Union Station and Willis Tower. The tour will conclude with a performance at Wahoo High School. In Kearney, The Nebraskats will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 11, in the UNK Fine Arts Recital Hall. The UNK performance is also free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted.
Each concert will feature a variety of pop-style music including the “Dreamgirls Medley,” “Maroon 5 Medley,” and songs originally written and sung by multi-platinum artist Michael Buble. The group will also perform songs by Michael Jackson, selections from the musical “13” and “The Song of Purple Summer.” Dr. Andrew White directs the ensemble.
After the Lincoln performance, the choir will travel overnight to Chicago where they will perform at 10 a.m. for residents of the Lutheran Home Services and conclude with a 6:30 p.m. performance at Union Station. On Sunday, the choir will perform at 12:30 p.m. at the Navy Pier. The Chicago tour will conclude on Monday with a noon performance at Willis Tower. The Nebraskats will give their final tour performance at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30, at Wahoo High School.
While in Chicago, the choir will also take a master class with Terry Hudson, a nationally recognized expert on vocal music, choreography and score arrangement. The master class will take place on Saturday, March 27, from 12:30-3 p.m., and will be open to the public.
Founded in 1967, the Nebraskats are the oldest college-level show choir currently performing in Nebraska. Each year, members are selected through competitive audition. All members are full-time UNK students who represent many areas of study across campus.
Funding for the tour was provided through the UNK Senior Vice Chancellor Student Talent Development Funds, the Student Research/Creative Activity Music Priority Funding, the Office of the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities and the Admissions Office. The students also raised funding to provide partial support for the tour through their performances.
Members of The Nebraskats are listed below alphabetically by hometown and state:
Alma– Heidi Kauk, radiology major, alto
Auburn– Hannah Om, musical theatre major, soprano
Belgrade– Jami Scott, English education major, music minor, alto
Burwell– Dillon Nelson, musical theatre major, bass
Creston– Emily Wemhoff, public relations major, soprano
Grand Island– Shaylie Murphy, music education major, soprano
Grand Island– Phillip Zuehlke, business administration major, music minor, tenor
Juniata– Addison Heeren, math education major, music minor, bass
Kearney– Clifford Holman, music education major, bass
Lincoln– Nate Rocke, musical theatre major, tenor
Lincoln– Sadie Lubeck, broadcasting major, soprano
Ord– Taylor Fahey, communication disorders major, alto
O’Neill– Jordan Peterson, musical theatre major, tenor
COLORADO:
Burlington– Codie Milford, musical theatre major, bass
The student band accompanists, their majors and the instruments they play, are listed below, alphabetically by hometown and country:
Atkinson– Kelli Garwood, education major, keyboard
Fremont– Josh Steager, music education major, drums
Grand Island– Gustavo Rodriguez Berrera, music business major, guitar
Kearney– Anthony Ford, music business major, saxophone
Wahoo– Matthew Braunsroth, music education major, bass guitar
Japan– Ayae Mori, music major, keyboard
Blake Thompson, a UNK student from Dalton, is assistant director for the group.
The Nebraskats also are available to performances for conventions and meetings. The performances are free, though donations are accepted. To book a performance, contact the music office at 308.865.8518.
