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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1994)
Arts Entertainment Wednesday, September 14, 1994 Page 9 sou Group lives and performs by faith in God By Matt Woody Senior Editor Wavnc Bocsigcr. Todd Bocsigcr. Brian Quadc. Nathan Nelson and Jon Matthews arc five guys who sing together as Soul Support. But they credit all of their talent and suc cess to a sixth, unseen member of the group — Jesus Christ. “Without all of the Lord's guidance and what he does for us. there would be no Soul Support today." Matthews said. The group, which performs original a cappclla Christian music, has come a long way since it was formed in 1990 as an exten sion of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Men’s Glee Club. Michael Nuss, at that time the director of the UNL ensemble, approached Wayne Bocsigcr to form a small ensemble that would showcase other types of music at Glee con certs. Bocsigcr said. Later, the group became independent of UNL. and about two years ago. selected its current name before a performance at Hol land Reformed Church, south of Lincoln. “It kind of fit the songs we were si nging at the time." Quadc said. Todd Bocsigcr. who sings lead tenor, added. “It kind of fit us. too. A bit cheesy, but ... there's more to it." Yes. the five members of Soul Support are not your ordinary collcgc-agc guys. “Most people's first impression or stereo type is not of five young guys out there singing for the Lord,” Quadc said. But that's exactly what Soul Support is. All five agree that being in the group lets them do the Lord's work, and they couldn't be happier about it. “We’re just grateful that in this way. we ll take a stand for Jesus Christ." Todd Bocsigcr said. Damon Lee/D N Soul Support is five guys "out there singing for the Lord": from left, Jon Matthews, Wayne Boesiger, Nathan Nelson, Todd Boesiger and Brian Quade. Busy schedule The group’s composition evolved slowly until it took its present form in 1993 with the addition of Matthews, a baritone. “We rent Jon.” Quadc joked, “with an option to buy.” After Matthews joined last October, the group began to perform on a regular basis. Some churches had heard Soul Support. and wanted it to perform during services. Service performances gave way to full-length concerts, and now the group is busy with gigs on the gospel circuit. “We’re pretty much booked until March of next year." Matthews said. But only on weekends. Soul Support's five members, all current or former UNL students, are busy working during the week. Each has either a full- or part-time job. These other demands keep Soul Support in the Midwest. The group's five members have performed in Colorado, Illinois and all places in between. But they have received offers to sing in states as far away as Califor nia and Connecticut. Their next concert in See SOUL SUPPORT on 10 Opera company hits high note By p Senior Paula Lavigne Fortune, music and love of art llirncd Opera Omaha's 35th anni versary season into a record-break ing fiscal year. Performances of Beethoven's "Fidclio." Gilbert and Sullivan's “The Pirates of Penzance" and the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Requiem Variations." plus a grant from Peter Kiewit and Sons, resulted in the largest finan cial surplus in the company's his tory. Jane Hill. Opera Omaha's man aging director, said last season pul the company financially “around the comer but not out of the woods yet.” "If this year is a healthy season, it will mean more progress in get ting ourselves financially solvent and stable,” she said. Opera Omaha hopes for an en core performance of last year's suc cess as it opens its 36th season on Sept. 14 with Lchar’s “The Merry Widow." "The Merry Widow” is the comic-romantic tale of an early 1900s love affair between a young Viennese widow. Anna Glawari. and her former lover. Count Danilo Danilovitch. When the two first meet. Anna is a poor farm girl and is forbidden to marry Danilo. They part. The ambassador of her native country of Pontcvcdro. Baron Mirko Zcta. marries Anna o(T to a millionaire. This husbanddics, and she is left a wealthy widow. The plot focuses on Anna's en during efforts to entice her former lover back into her arms forever, while Danilo is too proud to admit he still loves her. And the trials of forbidden love prevail. Wes Glowers, who starred in MRcquicm Variations'' last year, will take a different role in “The Merry Widow.** fulfilling the duties of technical director. Clowers said “The Merry Widow" was an unusual operetta because it was entirely in English. wFor something that is a light and entertaining piece, it's good to do it in English, so the audience has a chance of getting the jokes.” Great dramatic opera pieces rely on the fluency and movement of words and melodies, Clowers said. Quik Facts Show: “The Merry Widow” At: Orphcum Theater, Omaha Times: Today and Friday at 7:30 p.m.. Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: Range from $10 to $50. Available from STUBS in Omaha and.it is almost impossible to find an English translation that will do justice. “(The Merry Widow) is not so much about the poetry of language as about its entertaining nature and nature of plot and story .” Clowers said an operetta rested between a classic opera and a musi cal comedy, and it usually appealed to a broader audience. “An operetta is a light night out,” he said. “It’s a Neil Simon kind of opera. It has the comic plot together with beautiful music. It's a very seriously touching love afTair.” Diane Alexander and James See OPERA on 10 “Cracked Rear View” Hootie and the Blowfish Atlantic Records Grade: B Thcrc must be some competi tion out there Tor the band with the most eccentric name. Hootie and the Blowfish have been looking at the world lately through their “Cracked Rear View.” This mel low alter native group just released its debut album on Atlantic Records. The record starts off strong but tapers down to me diocrity. The compact disc's first rc - lease. “Let Her Cry,” is a great tune that accentuates the unique vocals of Darius Rucker, the band’s lead singer. Rucker'scom manding voice is the only strength present in all of the songs. Another strong track. “Hold My Hand.” features supporting vocals by David Crosby. The band calls this tune its “save the world song" because of its simplistic r message, telling listeners to stop whining about how bad things arc and do something. “Only Wanna Be With You” is a faster-paced song with a catchy refrain. The band shows that it can make some great music but with out much diversity. About the only song that shows any change is “Running From an Angel,” a backwoods tune with some heavy hillbilly instrumenta tion. The second half of the album is mundane. The standout songs arc “Drowning,” a heavier tune, and the final track. “Goodbye.” a mel low piece with some sweet piano instrumentation that makes a great finale. “Cracked Rear View” is not a fantastic work of art, but it does have some songs that are worth lendingan ear toward, and it makes for a commendable debut effort. — Joel Strauch