For 60 years, Ball State University’s preeminent ensemble, the Ball State University Singers has thrilled audiences, young and old, with their dynamic repertoire through their songs of faith, hope, laughter, and love. 

The Ball State University Singers, thrice named Indiana’s Goodwill Ambassadors, and I were born the fall of 1964.

In September 1983, I joined the 20^th anniversary season as a baritone singer and dancer. This eventually led to many performances in Emens Auditorium on Ball State University’s campus, as well as a 1984 European tour of Greece, Cyprus, and Crete. I also contributed vocal and band arrangements.

This past weekend, The Ball State University Singers celebrated it’s sixtieth anniversary, and  I will do the same in a few months.

My parents took me to Spectacular, the Singers’ annual spring production, beginning in 1973. Those following ten years I set the goal of performing with this exciting ensemble, supported by my Ball State University Music Camp counselors and directors. I took my piano and saxophone lessons at Ball State University, and while waiting for or between lessons, I’d sit in the music building’s Coke Lobby, chatting with music majors, and whenever I could, members of The Ball State University Singers.

My friend, Jeffrey Carter, now a professor of music at Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, began his tenure as BSU Singers’ director in 2000 and remained through June 2008. Jeff could not attend this weekend’s celebration but shared his virtual greeting via his daily blog.

I was blessed to meet many wonderful individuals associated with The Ball State University Singers, Jeff Carter being one. I learned so much from my directors, Larry Boye, a director for Walt Disney World’s Kids of the Kingdom, and Fritz Mountford, a protégé of master showman Fred Waring, and the original director of EPCOT’s Voices of Liberty.

However, it was on the plane to Greece that I sat behind and met charter member, Jan Richard and her husband, Rod. There have been years of memorable moments of great conversation, heightened with fantastic funny stories, especially during our two-week tour of Greece, Cyprus, and Crete. On that trip at our first “ancient” hotel, Jan educated me about the “little sink in the bathroom floor” – it was a bidet and not the place to keep our sodas iced.

There are many fond memories associated with The Ball State University Singers, as an audience member, a singer/dancer, and arranger, and I cherish all the fine experiences.

Here’s to 60 years, celebrated alongside The Ball State University Singers.