The Capitol Chordsmen Chorus An Overture Hall headliner!

'Great Northern Union' headlines our biggest show of year April 21! 'After Midnight' also appearing, plus the Chordsmen, other quartets 4/08/2007

An award-winning international Top Ten chorus, "Great Northern Union," makes its first appearance ever in the Madison area as it headlines our biggest show of the year April 21. Tickets now are on sale!

Also appearing will be a Great Northern Union quartet, "After Midnight," plus the Capitol Chordsmen Chorus and six of its quartets.

The Chordsmen also will be premiering its new train-themed show -- "All Aboard for Barbershop!" -- and kicking off its celebration of 2007 as the 50th anniversary of "The Music Man."

It all takes place at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Middleton Performing Arts Center, 2100 Bristol St. (See map below.)

The event also features a Harmony Marketplace with a wide variety of barbershop music CDs and DVDs -- the largest in the area and only set up once a year -- and an Afterglow following the evening show featuring more singing by those who performed in the show, plus other quartets.

'GREAT NORTHERN UNION' IN TOP TEN

The Great Northern Union is a men's a cappella chorus ranking in the Top Ten in international competition, bringing audiences out of their seats by delivering emotionally charged messages in a high impact a cappella style.

The chorus was formed in 1985 with the goal of becoming one of the world's best choruses -- "and having an outrageously fun time doing so."

It's also the only chorus in history to qualify for 20 consecutive appearances at the international championships of the Barbershop Harmony Society. It has placed in the Top Ten each time, with seven trips to the medalist circle.

GNU is the performing chorus of the Hilltop, Minnesota chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) and is also a member of the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America (CASA).

The chorus performs at events ranging from pre-game and halftime shows for major league sports teams, to corporate events, charitable and arts benefits, to clinics and workshops in schools and churches throughout our region. The group also produces its own shows each year at major Twin Cities venues.

Learn more about Great Northern Union here. Hear them here.

Great Northern Union also will sing Sunday, April 22, at the 10 a.m. services at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Ave.

'AFTER MIDNIGHT' A TOP 40 QUARTET

After Midnight has its roots in the competitive barbershop realm, as the 2005 Land-O-Lakes District champion quartet and one of the top 40 barbershop quartets in the world.

However, its members are all classically trained vocalists, and the group performs a wide variety of pop a cappella music.

Members of the quartet are (shown left to right in the photo): Tom Matchinsky, tenor; David Bailey-Aldrich, lead; Steve McDonald, bass; and Jim Emery, baritone. (There's a family connection here -- Steve is the son of Kent McDonald, a bass with the Capitol Chordsmen.)

Learn more about "After Midnight" and hear them sing here.

'After Midnight' also will sing at 9 a.m. services Sunday, April 22, at the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, 110 N. Gammon Rd, Madison.

'ALL ABOARD' WITH THE CAPITOL CHORDSMEN

Appearing with the Capitol Chordsmen during its "All Aboard for Barbershop" performance will be these Chorus-affiliated quartets: Heartsong, Sound Concensus, Cherry O's, Tag-along, TJs, and 4 Lakes.

The Chordsmen also will be saluting 2007 as the 50th anniversary of "The Music Man" by singing "Lida Rose" during the show, a song made famous on Broadway and in the movie by the Buffalo Bills (the "school board"). For more on "The Music Man," click here.

Read about a Madison connection with the Buffalo Bills by clicking here.

ORDER TICKETS NOW AND SAVE!

Order tickets by calling 608/798-2553 for credit card orders or for seating options. Tickets also are available at Borders East and Borders West.

Tickets are $22 adults/$12 students at the door or $20 adults/$12 students in advance. Groups of 10 ore more are $17 each.

You also can download our ticket order form. Click here and scroll to the first item listed. It's in Adobe Acrobat format.

What's the difference between the two shows? None, except that the Afterglow only follows the evening show.

WE ALL KEEP SINGING AT THE AFTERGLOW

Our traditional Afterglow begins about 10 p.m. at the Black Chalk Club, 2248 Deming Way, Middleton, which is less than a mile from the Performing Arts Center. (See map below.)

Afterglow tickets are priced separately at $7 each and may be purchased when you order your tickets, at the ticket office the day of the show, or at the Afterglow door if space is available.

* * * * * *The PAC and Blue Chalk Club are both marked on the map