{"id":40099,"date":"2018-10-15T14:15:42","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T18:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=40099"},"modified":"2018-10-16T10:31:40","modified_gmt":"2018-10-16T14:31:40","slug":"bringing-back-the-bubble-sisters-alumni-concert-highlights-musical-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2018\/bringing-back-the-bubble-sisters-alumni-concert-highlights-musical-talent\/","title":{"rendered":"Bringing Back the Bubble Sisters: Alumni concert highlights musical talent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cFirst it was \u2018Yes,\u2019 and then a few minutes later it was, \u2018What in the world have we done?\u2019 We haven\u2019t sung together in 30 years!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite initial reservations, the Bubble Sisters, EMU\u2019s first female jazz vocal group, reunited to share their special piece of personal and university musical history at Friday evening\u2019s alumni music concert during Homecoming and Family Weekend. [Read more weekend coverage here<\/a>\u00a0and view a Homecoming highlights video<\/a>.]<\/span><\/p>\n

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Cantore members (from left) Robert Maust ’72, David Clymer, Jeremy Nafziger ’91, Don Bomberger ’72 and Sam Kauffman ’12.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Backed by EMU\u2019s jazz band directed by Robert Curry<\/a>, they sang Cole Porter\u2019s \u201cI\u2019ve Got You Under My Skin\u201d and \u201cTico Tico,\u201d a Brazilian tune covered by the Andrews Sisters. The selections were a metaphorical and literal homage to both the group\u2019s origins and their somewhat edgy repertoire, considering that most female vocal groups in the institution\u2019s history had been previously sung a cappella sacred music.<\/span><\/p>\n

As <\/span>Ruby Kauffman \u201887 Hostetler<\/b> tells it, the Bubble Sisters took their name from the swing and boogie-woogie-singing Andrews Sisters and Don Ho\u2019s classic lounge tune, \u201cTiny Bubbles.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

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Kendra Good ’85 Rittenhouse leads “God of Grace and God of Glory” between ensemble performances.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Selected by audition with then music professor and jazz band director <\/span>Stephen Sachs<\/b>, the trio of Hostetler, <\/span>Wendy Noll Martin \u201886<\/b> and <\/span>Candace Ross-Cleary \u201887<\/b> performed with the jazz band, wearing cumberbunds and bow ties of varying shades of pink with their white shirts and black skirts (and sometimes Hawaiian shirts).<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to performances on campus, for civic groups and churches, they even went on a fundraising tour to Pennsylvania, which is no doubt how an church elder learned of \u2013 and directly questioned \u2013 Martin\u2019s participation. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Shekinah members (from left) Joanna Souder ’04 Showalter, Ranene Schrock Ropp ’98, Caitlin Holsapple ’16 and Chelsea Mast ’09.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI never told any of you about that,\u201d she said this weekend in a pre-rehearsal interview, \u201cbut I guess we were kind of out there, for the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The concert also showcased a cappella groups formed by local alumni \u2013 <\/span>Cantore<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Shekinah<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Striking Accord<\/span><\/a> \u2013 and the <\/span>EMU student ensemble Emulate<\/span><\/a> conducted by Professor <\/span>Ryan Keebaugh<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following opening remarks from alumni and parent engagement director <\/span>Jeff Shank \u201894<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Encore<\/span><\/a> president <\/span>Heidi Bauman King \u201812<\/b>, Professor <\/span>David Berry<\/b><\/a> performed his \u201cjazz fantasy\u201d arrangement of Beethoven\u2019s \u201cOde to Joy,\u201d to resounding applause.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For the evening’s grand finale, the ensembles combined to perform “Puttin’ on the Ritz” under the direction of Professor Ryan Keebaugh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Between acts, alumni and others led hymns, including \u201c<\/span>Precious Lord, Take My Hand<\/span><\/a>\u201d with accompaniment by Berry and led by senior associate director of development <\/span>Karen Mosier-Shenk \u201873<\/b>. Others included \u201cGod of Grace and God of Glory\u201d led by <\/span>Kendra Good \u201885 Rittenhouse<\/b>, \u201cBe Thou My Vision\u201d led by Keebaugh, \u201cWonderful Grace of Jesus\u201d led by assistant director of housing and residence life <\/span>Matthew Hunsberger \u201802<\/b>, \u201cI Bind My Heart This Tide\u201d led by <\/span>Sam Kauffman \u201812<\/b>, and, for the final hymn, \u201cPraise God From Whom All Blessings Flow\u201d led by <\/span>Michael Bishop \u201881<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

For the evening’s grand finale, Keebaugh led the combined ensembles in “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”<\/p>\n

Read more about EMU\u2019s musical history <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n