Front row: Freedom Young (left), Jasper Smith, Walt Chase, Jerome Collins and Tyler Trepp
Back row: Steve Morgan (left), Mike Luginbill, Luke Bob Robinson and Seggie Isho
The University of Central Arkansas Public Appearances presents RIAA-certified Gold a cappella group Straight No Chaser, known for their holiday favorites and re-imagination of iconic songs throughout the decades, on Friday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.
Initially formed at Indiana University, a cappella group Straight No Chaser emerged at the forefront of the modern-day a cappella movement, and has since sold more than three million albums worldwide, garnered more than a billion streams on Pandora alone, and sold more than 1.5 million concert tickets worldwide. In the fall of 2023, the group performed in more than 50 cities across the US with multiple sold-out shows, including a record-breaking run in Indianapolis.
The nine-man act of Walter Chase, Jerome Collins, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Steve Morgan, Luke Bob Robinson, Jasper Smith, Tyler Trepp and Freedom Young has served as a festive blend of harmonious voices for more than two and a half decades, having recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. Even though the group has been together for a quarter of a century, the thrill of performing holiday songs for old and new fans alike is not lost on them.
“It is a privilege to get out on the road each fall,” said Straight No Chaser member Walter Chase. “Starting in October and through until New Year’s Eve, we tour across America sharing our love of the holiday season. For many families, we have become a holiday tradition some return each year for over a decade! It’s an honor, and it is one that we don’t take for granted.”
UCA Public Appearances Executive Director Amanda Horton said, “We are celebrating our 25th season by bringing back crowd favorite, Straight No Chaser, for a celebration concert. This show will be the perfect way to kick off the holiday season as they sing some of their pop and holiday best.”
UCA Public Appearances is celebrating 25 years in Reynolds Performances Hall. Highly acclaimed artists such as Ray Charles, Wayne Newton, Common, Amy Grant, Dione Warwick, Ricky Skaggs and more have performed in the 1200-seat theatre.
UCA Public Appearances has continued to grow each year and now has five unique series which are offered: Broadway, POPS, Night Out, Speaker and the Windgate Collection. Reynolds Performance Hall has also welcomed over 65,000 preK-12th grade students from across the state of Arkansas to experience live performing arts through the Main Stage Education Series. This series educates while entertaining and provides arts accessibility to all students.
Tickets range from $30-$50 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds box office or Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/publicappearances or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll-free at (866) 810-0012.
