Westmont singers dream a dream with Susan Boyle

Published in The Horizon, A Publication of Westmount College

Westmont singers dream a dream with Susan Boyle

Views 131 | 4 minutes to read | By Elaine Pazaski

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From Scotland to Santa Barbara, renowned pop singer Susan Boyle is delivering more than just a concert. Thanks to Boyle and her team, her performance this Thursday might just be the first step on their own roads to stardom for Westmont’s aspiring singers.

Boyle, the Scottish pop singer who rose to stardom in 2009 after placing second in Britain’s Got Talent, stops in Santa Barbara on Oct. 9 as part of her first international tour. She is due to perform some of her most beloved songs, as well as selections from her newest album Hope, at the Arlington Theatre downtown.

Boyle is an incredibly powerful and captivating performer on her own, but no touring concert is complete without a rousing backup chorus of talented singers. This time, that cast of supporting artists just happens to be composed of members of our very own Westmont College Choir.

Though Boyle didn’t win the overall competition, her journey during the run of the season elevated her life out of what she described in her online biography as a previously mundane and uneventful existence. Since her sudden rise to stardom, Boyle has produced a series of wildly successful albums; her debut album I Dreamed A Dream was even the most pre-ordered album worldwide, according to her website.

Because Boyle’s tours in the UK were met with incredible support and turnout, she turned her sights next to an international tour, arriving first in California this October.

Michael Shasberger, head of the Westmont music department, explained how twenty-four lucky Westmont students were granted this remarkable musical opportunity. Shasberger received a cold call last Friday from Boyle’s concert manager, who had heard of Westmont’s music program and was looking for local, youthful singers to provide backup during Boyle’s upcoming concert.

Extending the invitation to the College Choir, Shasberger received interest from twenty-four of his students.

“Providentially, just the right number of singers volunteered with all the right voice parts,” said Shasberger. Among these twenty-four students is third-year Brent Starrh, who reports that he is incredibly excited about the chance to get to sing with a professional singer.

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Starrh.

Another Westmont student, third-year Bethany Baca said she volunteered right away when she heard about this professional opportunity. Baca remarked that she felt honored that Boyle specifically wanted students from Westmont College Choir to back her up during the concert.

Beyond the excitement of the performance, Baca noted the unique learning opportunities this will provide her and her fellow classmates as aspiring and growing performance artists.

“As a singer and musician, it’ll be great to learn how she moves from different genres of songs and changes the shape of her voice to fit that genre,” said Baca.

The prospects of singing with such a notable artist are both thrilling and daunting, as Shasberger commented that many of the details of the requirements of the performance require great individual preparedness. Between the flexibility and quality of the singers, the facility, and the production team, the dynamics of the production will only be made clear on the night of the performance.

The most the students can do in the meantime is to prepare diligently the music sent out to them, and arrive with an open mindset and willingness to work. All of the choreography and performance plans will be taught and performed the night of the concert, so the students will have to remain cool and professional under pressure.

The Westmont students were assigned to provide backup on four songs with a variety of musical genres. A blend of pop, gospel, and musical theatre, the selections give the Westmont students a fantastic chance to explore a great range of style and technique.

Although Boyle is the clear star attraction of Thursday night’s concert, the Westmont students most certainly have a chance to prove their musical prowess and dedication by working diligently before the concert to arrive prepared and ready to perform at their best.

“One never knows exactly how these kinds of shows will work out,” said Shasberger. “One way or another, this concert is sure to be a memorable experience, both for the Westmont students involved, and for all who attend. 
Tickets to the event can still be purchased at the Arlington box office or on Boyle’s official website.

Photo by Donald Brubaker