Nazareth College Vocal Jazz has become a favorite of Josh Groban's when he is touring New York State. Nazareth vocalists have sung back up for Groban six times, this appearance at his June 28 concert at Turning Stone Resort.
It's a honor for all the students and demanding work. The students work with a vocal coach a couple days before the concert, but they do not rehearse with Groban or the orchestra until they show up on stage and put it all together in performance.
"This never gets old," said Nancy Strelau, associate chair of Nazareth's Music Department, who helps contract the show with Groban. "This is a professional, life-changing experience and this time around the experience was only 48 hours from the beginning of Wednesday's rehearsal to the performance on Friday night."
Also a first, Strelau invited two incoming Nazareth freshmen, Collin Pickett, a music therapy major from Vestal, N.Y., and Michael King, a music theatre major from Rochester, to sing with Groban, quite an impressive experience leading into their time at Nazareth.
Here is the list of performers comprised of incoming freshmen, current students, alumni, invited guest vocalists.
Sopranos
Jessica Tripi
Kristen Emery
Haley Brunstad
Taylor Eike
Abby Duffy
Altos
Hadley Strelau
Kristen Maxfield
Jean-Marie Carroll
Morgan Beaton
Taylor Santabarbara
Tenors
Toby Young
Christian Drew
Colin Pickett
Evan Burnett
Michael King
Basses
John Caboot
Lamont Haywood
Gabriel Brett
Joel Touranjoe
Demetrio Alomar
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | 585-389-2456 or jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
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Nazareth vocalists flank singer Josh Groban before they go on stage at Turning Stone on June 28.