Claire Miller
Reporter
September 17, 2004
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The choir practices at Hopwood Christian Church under the direction of David Butzu. |
-Photo by Andrew Stauffer |
Milligan Singers is a different group
this year.
Literally.
The ensemble has changed gender restrictions, instructors, music and its name.
“The first thing,” said David Butzu, the new director of the ensemble, “is that
they’re not reading music. All the music is learned by (memory).”
Dr. Kellie Brown, chair of music, said of the newly updated choir, “It’s a big
opportunity for people who normally wouldn’t be involved in a choir.”
Butzu said between 30-35 students, including three male students, have joined
the choir. Auditions are no longer required, and professors and community
members have also taken part.
Butzu, who is also the minister of worship at Hopwood Christian Church, said he
wants the ensemble to focus less on performance and more on worship.
“Performance and entertainment are not synonyms in my book,” he said. “To
perform something means that you do something according to a form. Our form is
going to be worship.”
Senior Aubrey Fulton said, “I really like that mentality. I like how it’s so
relaxed and he’s so focused on God. I enjoy it more for the worship than the
music.”
The group will have a new style as well, which Butzu referred to as
“African-American gospel,” a style he said was characterized by loud, highly
energized singing. He also said that the choir will perform both ancient and
more recent gospel songs.
Fulton, who was part of Milligan Singers last year, said of the old style,
“Milligan Singers was a lot more classical— a lot more traditional.”
Another thing that will change is the group’s name. They are currently looking
for a creative name for the group, and all suggestions are welcome at
Davidbutzu@aol.com.
Butzu, a Michigan native, packed his bags for Emmanuel School of Religion after
receiving his
bachelor’s of music degree from the University of Michigan. He graduated from
Emmanuel in 2000 and moved back to Michigan, where he directed a choir at
Bethesda Christian Church, which averages an attendance of 3500. He returned to
the East Tennessee area a month ago.
Butzu said that those who are interested in joining the choir can come to
practices at 3:40 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hopwood; however, since the date
for adding classes has passed, credit is only available for those already in the
choir.
For those who would rather watch, Butzu said that a performance is slated for
Nov. 1 at Hopwood.