The internationally-acclaimed a cappella group, the Swingle Singers, will perform on Feb. 26 in the Administration Auditorium as a part of the Lyceum Series.
The Swingle Singers are celebrating their 50th anniversary. During their career, the group has produced 50 albums, won five Grammys and performed 4,000 concerts.
“Everyone knew of them in the ‘60s,” said Cliff Ganus, director of choral activities. “You heard them on radio stations everywhere. They are based in London, so you don’t see them on American television as much, but their music has been featured recently on the show ‘Glee.'”
Their 50th Anniversary Tour program includes a traditional Turkish song, “Spain” by Chick Corea, “After the Storm” by Mumford & Sons, “Shake it Out” by Florence Welch, “The Diva Aria” by Donizetti, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce Knowles and new original songs by the Swingle Singers.
“They sing everything from classical to pop to rock to Beatles, Beyonce and Bach,” Ganus said.
For their 50th Anniversary Tour, the Swingle Singers will perform in North and South America, Russia, China, Dubai, Europe and the U.K.
The current Swingle Singers’ line-up has singers trained in multiple styles of music from opera to jazz to pop. For the first time in many years, their repertoire also includes original songs.
The a cappella group started in 1963 when American-born Ward Swingle assembled a group of Parisian session singers to sing some of Bach’s keyboard music. The resulting album, “Jazz Sebastian Bach,” launched the group to fame.
The Swingle Singers also performed at Harding 11 years ago as a part of the Concert Lyceum Series, which has been bringing talented musicians to campus for more than 50 years.
The award-winning vocal jazz group, “Clearly Vocal,” accompanied by Harding alumni John and Kim Hodges and director of admissions for the Harding College of Pharmacy, Carol Jones, will open for the Swingle Singers.
The Swingle Singers concert will be Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Administration Auditorium. Tickets are $3 or free with the pass.
