Local trio take part in Vandaleers Carnegie Hall concert

MOSCOW —The Vandaleers, the University of Idaho’s prestigious choral group, recently traveled to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. The concert, held April 9, is the Vandaleers’ second at Carnegie Hall. Their first performance was in 1991.

“For musicians, an opportunity to perform on the historic and acoustically vibrant stage of Carnegie Hall is a great achievement that we all dream of,” said Michael Murphy, director of choral activities and associate professor of music in the UI’s Lionel Hampton School of Music.

Local Vandaleer members include Joshua Oppelt of Sagle, Nathaniel Owen of Sandpoint, and Tristan Schenk of Sandpoint.

The Vandaleers’ performance was part of the annual Collegiate Choral Showcase presented by Sechrist Travel, designed to highlight collegiate choral programs and ensembles in the country. This event celebrated invited ensembles in a featured solo performance, under the direction of their own ensemble conductor. At the concert, the Vandaleers featured a varied repertoire of songs from the United States, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany and Haiti.

The group, a part of the Lionel Hampton School of Music in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, traveled to New York as their 2017 tour destination. Since Murphy’s arrival in 2008, the Vandaleers have conducted annual tours, including trips throughout the Northwest and Europe.

“During my tenure, the choir has been fortunate to perform for many distinguished personalities, occasions, and for many accomplished conductors and musicians, such as Jeffrey Thomas, The Tudor Choir, Chanticleer and New York Polyphony,” Murphy said. “Above all, the Vandaleers enjoy singing and connecting with our supportive UI alumni in the state and beyond.”