HIGHLIGHTING: ALL-CAMPUS & COMMUNITY CHORALE | HEART & SOUL | PURDUE BELLS | PURDUE VARSITY GLEE CLUB | PURDUETTES | UNIVERSITY CHOIR

A PUBLICATION FROM PURDUE MUSICAL 2021 YOURS IN SONG ORGANIZATIONS SPRING

Heart & Soul students perform “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” as a Zoom choir

during the virtual Christmas Show production. Photo provided by Jack Klink Dear Friends, As I look forward to a new year and the beginning of the PMO Produces spring semester, one word comes to mind when I reflect on the year 2020: gratitude. First-Ever Virtual I have no doubt that the events of the past year have taken a Christmas Show toll on all of us in ways we never thought possible. Our PMO For the first time since its inaugural family, both in West Lafayette and around the world, has performance 87 years ago, the Purdue endured inarguably one of the most difficult years that will Christmas Show was produced virtually occur during our lifetime. Even though we may not be “out of last year and streamed online to millions the woods” just yet, I’d like to share some highlights from the of viewers around the world. fall semester that encompass the strength and determination demonstrated by our PMO students and the resilience of the Purdue Boilermaker spirit. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PMO began the journey of creating this Beginning last summer, our students and staff prepared for one of the most virtual performance last March, when the trying semesters in the history of higher education. While we knew there University announced news of the campus would be many changes to our typical performance schedule, we were unsure shutdown and shift to remote learning. To of what experiences the PMO staff could provide for our students, both here make this video production possible, the on campus and for those students studying remotely across the country. While PMO staff took extraordinary steps to many questions remained unanswered, we were determined to continue ensure that student health and safety were providing opportunities for our students to learn, perform and grow together, the top priorities and to produce a video despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. that would be inspiring to all who watched. As I think about all that our students and staff accomplished in 2020, I’m In addition to the creative solutions filled with pride and admiration for their tenacity to embrace challenges implemented during the rehearsal process, head-on and to make the best of a situation that was certainly not ideal. By the Christmas Show production process implementing creative solutions including custom face masks, protective was unlike anything PMO has undertaken shields and proper social distancing, our ensembles were able to continue before. “We were up against elements rehearsing outdoors underneath tents, in the parking lot and on the front lawn that were certainly out of our control,” of Bailey Hall. Despite the heat, rain and unavoidable construction noises said Bill Griffel. nearby, I never once heard our students complain. They were always grateful just to have the opportunity to gather safely and participate in one of their ALEX HARTE LAUREN PENGIEL REED DAVISSON SYDNEY THOMA JET TERRY CAITLYN CASS ADIN DOVE FIONA GANNON favorite activities: making music together. Even though our performance schedule was limited, our PMO staff worked tirelessly to create performances for you to enjoy through virtual livestream concerts on campus, including our first-ever virtual Christmas Show production. In addition, the PMO staff created unique opportunities for our students to participate in civic engagement activities and renewed our shared dedication to being an anti-racist organization while celebrating diversity in all its forms. Join PMO Online In a year when much remains uncertain, one thing is abundantly clear to me: for Our Broadway None of these performance opportunities and outside-the-classroom experiences would be possible without your loyal support. Cabaret Virtual I hope you’ll stay connected with PMO as we strive to provide innovative ways Performance for our students to perform. Now more than ever, we are incredibly grateful for Thanks to the support of generous PMO your support of this organization that I am humbled to lead. donors, several featured students will Be well, stay safe, Boiler Up and Hail Purdue! share the virtual stage with legendary Broadway performers this spring! “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with these talented performers and choreographers,” said Scott Hines, the William E. Griffel Glee Club Assistant Director and Director Albert P. Stewart Director of Purdue Musical Organizations Jack Calhoun Director of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club of the Broadway Cabaret Performance. Before joining the PMO staff in 2015, Hines worked as a freelance director,

2 PMO Donors Provide Fee-Free Experiences for Students Thanks to our donors’

PMO Express performs outside Hovde Hall generous support of PMO’s during the virtual Christmas Show production. Greatest Needs fund, we were able to provide the “Our students and staff persevered,” “The unwavering hard work and sacrifice following enhancements Griffel said, “all the while smiling from the PMO staff, financial support underneath their face masks with a from our incredibly generous PMO for our students last year: grateful attitude to be able to continue alumni and donors, our professional making music together.” instrumentalists in the Christmas Show Orchestra, and the strength, PMO would like to thank the Protect dedication and incredible talent of our AUDIO EQUIPMENT Purdue Safety Committee partners on PMO students made it possible for us for all ensembles to campus, as well as the Provost and to produce this truly ‘Different Kind of use during outdoor Student Life offices for their support Christmas’ Show,” said Griffel. rehearsals of our students and program. This performance was funded entirely with To view the virtual production, visit: donations from the PMO family and Purdue community. PMO would like purdue.edu/pmo/christmas-show/ INDIVIDUAL IPADS to thank all of the supporters who for the Purdue Bells generously donated to make this virtual to use during production possible! rehearsals, classes and exams ALEX HARTE LAUREN PENGIEL REED DAVISSON SYDNEY THOMA JET TERRY CAITLYN CASS ADIN DOVE FIONA GANNON

NEW COSTUMES for the Purduettes, which were provided fee-free to students

choreographer, accompanist, arranger PMO is excited to share that this donor- and vocalist in Nashville, New York City funded program will culminate with PMO is proud to announce that and Decatur, Illinois. For the past 25 our students performing alongside thanks to support from alumni and years, Hines has been on the staff of living legend Norm Lewis of Porgy and friends, all fees related to costumes, Showchoir Camps of America, Rising Bess and Phantom of the Opera fame! equipment and travel have been Stars Show Choir Camp and Eastern Unique performances like this are funded eliminated to provide an entirely Illinois University Summer Music Camps. 100% through private donations, and fee-free experience for our students. Additionally, he has adjudicated and PMO is ever grateful for your continued We could not provide these served as a clinician for several music support to make once-in-a-lifetime incredible opportunities without your contests throughout the country. opportunities like this possible! continued support! Thanks to his professional experiences Details about how to view this virtual and industry connections, Hines performance will be available in February. arranged for PMO students to attend To learn more about the Broadway online, customized workshops and Cabaret Performance, including student virtual 1:1 coaching sessions with bios and song titles, visit: talented Broadway performers and choreographers, including Judy McLane, bit.ly/PMOBroadway Josh Rhodes, Taylor Iman Jones and Laura Osnes. Please note: this link is case sensitive

3 PURDUE MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS SPRING

2021 Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 74 YOURS IN SONG Lafayette, IN

All-Campus & Community Chorale | Heart & Soul | Purdue Bells | Purdue Varsity Glee Club Purduettes | University Choir

Ralph & Bettye Bailey Hall 359 Northwestern Avenue West Lafayette, IN 47906 800-893-3041 | 765-494-3941 purdue.edu/pmo Follow us online @PurduePMO

YOUR PMO STAFF SERVING STUDENTS, ALUMNI AND DONORS

Beth McCuskey, Ed.D. Chrissy Crawley Jake Stensberg Vice Provost for Student Life Marketing & Communications Coordinator Assistant Director, Purduettes and University Choir Katherine Sermersheim, Ph.D. Kim Delks Director, All-Campus & Community Chorale and PMO Kids Choir Dean of Students Account Clerk William E. Griffel Scott Hines Hadley Thomas Director of Development, Purdue Research Foundation Albert P. Stewart Director of Purdue Musical Assistant Director, Purdue Varsity Glee Club Organizations, Jack Calhoun Director of the Rachel Mirkin Jeff Vallier Purdue Varsity Glee Club Director, Purduettes, University Choir and Recruitment Scheduling & Events Coordinator Rhonda Blacklock Debbie Siciliano Kris Webster Director, Purdue Bells and Heart & Soul Senior Administrative Assistant Assistant Director of Financial Affairs, Purdue Brittney Bowers Student Life Colton Withers Business Manager Associate Director, Purdue Musical Organizations Director, Administration & External Relations

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Purdue Day of Giving April 28, 2021 For more information, visit: purdue.edu/pmo