Fort Collins-based group teams up with CSU a cappella
Now in its second season, CSU’s Contemporary Artist Music Series sponsored by Bohemian Foundation presents the contemporary a cappella singing group eLeMeNO-P on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall at the University Center for the Arts, located at 1400 Remington St.
Tickets are FREE for CSU students, $1 for youth ages (under 18), and $12 for the public. Tickets are available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby, by phone at 970-491-ARTS (2787). Youth tickets must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. Advance purchase is recommended to avoid at-the-door fees.
eLeMeNO-P is a local a cappella group based in Fort Collins. Focusing on contemporary music, eLeMeNO-P entertains with concerts that will make you laugh, think, and believe.
Mike, Chris, and Dan, the boy members of eLeMeNO-P (who are all CSU alumni), started off as hot dog vendors on the street corners of Bald Prairie, Tex. in the 1980s. They decided to form a contemporary a cappella group and moved to Colorado where they paired with former classmate and friend Jalyn Webb, the girl member of eLeMeNO-P. The lifelong friends have been making beautiful music ever since.
For the group, performing at CSU will bring back fond memories.
“It feels like a homecoming in a way,” Webb said. “We all went to Rocky Mountain High School and were at CSU at one time or another. We sang in choir together and did musicals. It wasn’t until after we graduated when we all ended up back in Fort Collins at the same time.
“We all have families and full-time jobs so when we get together to sing it just is pure joy for us.”
Opening for eLeMeNO-P is CSU’s fully student-run a cappella group, the Resonant RAMblings. The group started as a student organization in the early 2000s and has progressed through the years to become CSU’s preeminent a cappella group.
“What's great about our group is that the majority of us are not music majors, we come from all over campus,” said RAMblings President Nicole Barton. “Our 13 members arrange music, schedule rehearsals, and sing for a variety of CSU and community events. It's a nice break from school and being able to express ourselves through song.”
Opening for an established group like eLeMeNO-P offers a welcomed task for the Resonant RAMblings. It’s a concert that will showcase different generations of a cappella music.
“A cappella is such a unique genre that is getting more attention,” Barton said. “[We] are excited about working with eLeMeNO-P! A cappella is a community and we can learn so much from other groups.”
The show will feature eLeMeNO-P’s take on contemporary songs, some 80s music, and original pieces as well.
“There will be singing plus entertainment and stories,” Webb said. “The audience is going to laugh a lot. They might even cry a little, there are some beautiful moments and songs. It’s the whole package of a show.”
This performance is part of the 2013-2014 Contemporary Artist Music Series made possible by the generous support of Bohemian Foundation. The series aims to increase the amount of live contemporary music performances in Fort Collins and encourage audience and community support of local musicians.
Additionally, the series exposes students to different models of success in the music world and helps to bridge the gap between classical and contemporary music for audiences.
Spring 2014 Contemporary Artist Music Series:
Wednesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Griffin Concert Hall
From Irish inspired punk to down-tempo reggae, and from down and dirty funk right back up to straight ahead ska punk, every show has something each audience member can jam to.
The University Center for the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. During the 2013-2014 season, the UCA celebrates its fifth anniversary and features several celebratory events that highlight connecting our campus and community with impactful arts.