Among the many Family Weekend festivities, the choral and a cappella concerts happening this weekend offer families a chance to feel immersed in the University’s flourishing arts community and history. This weekend’s musical lineup features the annual Family Weekend Choral Showcase, along with fall concerts from two of the University’s a cappella ensembles.
The Family Weekend Choral Showcase will be held 8 p.m. Friday in Old Cabell Hall, featuring the University Singers, U.Va. Chamber Singers, Virginia Glee Club and Virginia Women’s Chorus. Each ensemble will perform individually to highlight the range of choral music at the University, concluding with all four ensembles coming together for a joint performance alongside their alumni, a Family Weekend tradition. Together, the combined choirs will fill Old Cabell Hall with more than 130 singers.
Frances Liu, president of the Virginia Women’s Chorus and third-year College student, shared in a written message how she hopes audience members use Family Weekend concerts as an opportunity to appreciate their friends and family.
“I wish listeners who come to this Family Weekend event can be reminded of their loved ones who have guided and supported them even when they are physically absent,” Liu wrote.
Attendees of the showcase can expect a blend of traditional repertoire and contemporary selections from each choral ensemble, performed both a cappella and with accompaniment. These arrangements can include 14th century Latin text, gospel songs and sea shanties, which are traditional sailor songs. A diverse repertoire provides singers the rare opportunity to perform pieces that span centuries and styles, showing how choral music continues to evolve while maintaining its roots.
The University Singers’ fall 2025 repertoire includes “Amazing Grace,” “Earth Song” and “Will the Circle be Unbroken.” They will also be performing “Shores of Botany Bay,” arranged by Class of 2025 alumna Elle Woodard. Sarah Petchel, University Singers member and fourth-year College student, explained through written correspondence what makes the Family Weekend concerts special for the performers.
“This is my fourth and final Family Weekend concert with the USingers, and although it is always such a busy time, it is so awesome to get to work with the other choral groups at U.Va. and show what we have been working on to our friends and family,” Petchel wrote.
Also performing Friday at 8 p.m., the Hullabahoos will present their Annual Fall Concert in Chemistry Building, room 402. Known for their signature robes and upbeat performances, the Hullabahoos have built a reputation for their energetic arrangements and creative mashups, often mixing pop hits with unexpected harmonies. The group will deliver a two-act show Friday featuring 90 minutes of material containing both humor and emotional performances.
Carson Barnes, Hullabahoos alumni chair and fourth-year College student, wrote via text he hopes their fall show is as entertaining for the crowd to listen to as it is for the group to perform.
“There should be songs worth cheering for, jokes worth laughing at, perhaps even a tear-jerker or two,” Barnes wrote. “From the likes of Stevie Wonder to the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift, there’s a pretty wide range of songs in our set this fall.”
The Virginia Gentlemen will take the stage in Old Cabell Hall Saturday at 8 p.m. The VGs are the University’s first a capella group — their blazers and bowties have been an iconic symbol on Grounds for almost 75 years. Audiences can expect songs ranging from R&B to country and from beloved classics to current hits. This weekend’s set features songs such as “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver and a mashup of “Deja Vu” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Slow it Down” by Benson Boone, performed with their own flair and doo-wop style.
Fourth-year College student Ibraheem Qureshi wrote that he feels a sense of tradition and pride performing with the Virginia Gentlemen.
“Especially with the group’s long history, it is also a nice feeling to feel a part of something bigger than myself,” Qureshi wrote. “I feel like our performance isn’t just great because of us, it’s a symbol of the hard work of all those who came before us as well.”
The upcoming concerts represent the culmination of months of preparation, some of which began over the summer. For all of these ensembles, preparation for major performances involves regular rehearsals, with extra rehearsals the week of the concert. Every year represents an opportunity for growth, and the upcoming concerts will demonstrate exactly that to an audience of friends, family and community members.
Beyond the music itself, these performances highlight the collaboration and leadership that thrive within student organizations. From selecting songs to creating musical arrangements and designing programs, students work tirelessly to bring each show to life.
Music remains a cornerstone of University culture, and each concert reflects the creativity and community that define the University’s musical scene. For families visiting Grounds, these performances offer a glimpse into the talent and tradition that are visible all around the University.
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