Misericordia's Heart Zingers Choir Performs Music From New CD at Depaul on April...

Misericordia's Heart Zingers Choir Performs Music From New CD at Depaul on
April 23 to Kick Off Jelly Belly Candy Days

CD Recorded With Help From DePaul School of Music Inspires Expanded Community
Service

CHICAGO, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Miller did more than help spread
beautiful music when he recorded the choir at Misericordia Heart of Mercy and
turned their melodies into a CD. Beyond recording and mixing, Miller,
director of the Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program at the DePaul
University School of Music, illustrated how DePaul's sound recording program
can use the universal language of music to lend a helping hand in the
community while giving students practical experience.

To kick off Misericordia's Jelly Belly Candy Days on April 24 and 25, The
Heart Zingers will perform selections from the CD, "Our Favorite Songs," on
April 23 at the DePaul Center Plaza, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, beginning at
noon.

Working with Misericordia's choir inspired Miller to expand his outreach in
the community. "It was a labor of love working with Misericordia, and it
offered a real lesson on the types of projects that I will consider for SRT
and its students in the future," said Miller. Misericordia is an agency that
supports 550 children and adults with mild to profound developmental
disabilities from all racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. The
Heart Zingers had practiced a variety of songs that were ripe for recording. A
CD of the music would be perfect for holiday gift giving, as several of the
tunes were Christmas songs. That is where Miller came into the picture. He
was asked to take the expertise taught in SRT beyond the halls of DePaul and
lend a hand in the community.

Past projects on which Miller and his SRT students had worked focused mainly
on recording music created by musicians connected to DePaul. Outside projects
were small such as recording the jazz band at the Emerson Middle School in
Park Ridge, Ill. Miller also worked with the American Tinnitus Association to
produce a CD that demonstrated what people who suffer from tinnitus, an
auditory affliction, experience. For the Misericordia CD project, Miller set
up a studio in the basement of the building where the Heart Zingers practiced.
He then took what he recorded back to DePaul where he turned the 15 to 20
voices he captured into a CD that sounded like it was created in a cathedral
instead of a basement.

The final project, which was directed by Madge and Bob Erlenbaugh, includes 20
selections that cover a gamut of musical delicacies, from holiday music to
classics such as "The Star-Spangled Banner," "What a Wonderful World" and
"Amazing Grace." The project was a winner for all involved. Miller described
it as "inspirational." Those at Misericordia viewed it as an opportunity to
raise public awareness of the abilities of persons with disabilities. "We feel
grateful that SRT was so willing to donate their time and talent to this
wonderful project," said Lois Gates, assistant executive director at
Misericordia. "It is important that we continue to raise awareness about the
mission of Misericordia. When we are able to partner with outstanding
institutions like DePaul, our residents have the opportunity to showcase their
talent. It is a true accomplishment for the Heart Zingers to have an
experience like working on this CD project."

The Sound Recording Technology Program at DePaul currently has an enrollment
of about 35 students who learn in small classes that number about eight or
nine students. It is a four-year program designed to prepare students for
careers in the rapidly expanding audio industry by offering them a solid
foundation built on traditional music skills and extensive training in
contemporary music technology. Working on the Misericordia project reinforced
for Miller how important it is not only to introduce his SRT students to the
practical side of their craft, but how to use their skills to make a
difference in the community.

"It was so rewarding to see the faces of the choir members when they received
copies of the CD and could hear the finished product," said Miller. "We're
always open to doing projects of this kind in the community. After working on
the Misericordia CD, I will look for other projects like it in the community
that allow our students to showcase their talent while helping others." For
more information about the SRT, visit its Web site at:
https://admin2.mus.depaul.edu/srt.

SOURCE DePaul University

Valerie Phillips of DePaul University, +1-312-362-5039, vphillip@depaul.edu