Iowa State will host VOCES8’s 20th anniversary Tuesday at Stephens Auditorium as part of the Performing Arts Series. Four local high school choirs and the Iowa State singers will join the Grammy-nominated ensemble to showcase a diverse music program.
“They are doing music from the 16th century all the way up to Paul Simon,” Tammy Koolbeck, executive director at Stephens Auditorium, said.
The special performance has been in the works since Jan. 2024, and it will bring together high school students and Iowa state singers on stage with VOCES8.
“It’s a marvelous experience for our audience members to see the Iowa State singers on stage with a Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble and see how the interaction goes and the joy it’s going to bring to the ISU singers,” Koolbeck said.
The program expects to host around 200 to 250 high school students who will have the opportunity to spend the afternoon with VOCES8, participating in a series of training sessions.
“They are doing a talkback with VOCES8 and a choir rehearsal,” Koolbeck said. “Then, they are going back into campus and doing clinics with Paul Smith, co-founder of VOCES8.”
James Rodde, director of choral activities at Iowa State, played a key role in putting together this event.
“He feels it’s important for Iowa State to welcome students on our campus so they can see what it’s like,” Koolbeck said. “It’s a great way to showcase to students the opportunities that the ISU program can offer them that they may not get somewhere else.”
The show is open to the public, with tickets ranging from $30 to $50 for adults, $15 for youth and $10 for ISU students, thanks to the support of Student Government funding.
“Ames is a very music-friendly town, and we have so many choirs, but this also gives them a chance to come and see, without having to travel anywhere, a vocal ensemble that is very vocal-driven,” Koolbeck said. “I think that is a very nice option to have when you look at our series.”
“For us, it is not always about the commercial appeal,” Koolbeck said. “It’s about enhancing and balancing programming, so we are offering lots of different opportunities.”
Tickets can be purchased at the Stephens Auditorium Ticket Office or online through Ticketmaster. Iowa State students can buy their tickets here.
