FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 21, 2012

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

Home Free Vocal Band to perform Dec. 4 in Pierre

PIERRE, S.D. -- High-energy, harmony and humor.

That’s what audiences can expect when Home Free Vocal Band performs its Christmas show on Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Pierre.

The Home Free Vocal Band’s holiday show takes place in the Riggs High School theater. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at7 p.m.Tickets are $15 each and are available at the Heritage Stores at the Cultural Heritage Center and the Capitol, Prairie Pages Book Sellers, Oahe Federal Credit Union, Pierre Flower Shop and Greenhouses, Lynn’s Dakotamart and at the door.

 “What is the Christmas season without the music of Christmas?” asked Short Grass Arts Council board member Ron Woodburn. “We hear it while we’re shopping, at our church services and in school holiday concerts. SGAC and the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation are presenting a performance by Home Free Vocal Band because we wanted to offer central South Dakota an enjoyable evening of the sounds of the season.”

Home Free Vocal Band is a five-member a cappella group based in Minneapolis, Minn. A cappella means without instruments.

“They are not your average ‘vocals only’ group,” Woodburn said. “You can’t believe they’re not using instruments or backing tracks of any sort.”

Home Free Vocal Band performed in Pierre in October as part of the Pierre Concert Series. Audiences were treated to a vocal percussion solo by band member Adam Rupp, and songs ranging from country to doo-wop to pop, sprinkled with humor and audience participation.

“Those who attended walked out of the theater with smiles on their faces, wanting more. We’re pleased that we can provide that to them in a holiday concert,” said foundation interim president Bill Peterson. The foundation is based inPierreand is the nonprofit fundraising partner of the South Dakota State Historical Society.

Home Free member Chris Rupp said the Christmas show “will have a lot of the same humor and interaction with the audience. It will be a much bigger production with a light show.”

The music will be based on the group’s two Christmas CDs. Selections on the CDs include holiday standards and new favorites.

“We try to put new takes on all of the songs,” said Chris Rupp. “One advantage of performing Christmas music is that it is familiar to people. We put something new on it, and it’s not the same song they’ve heard before. I really enjoy Christmas music for that reason.”

Home Free Vocal Band was started in 2000 by baritone Chris Rupp; his brother Adam Rupp as a vocal percussionist; and tenor Matt Atwood. They were later joined by bass Tim Foust and tenor Rob Lundquist. The performance in Pierre is part of a 12-stop tour for the quintet.

The holiday concert is one the biggest fundraisers of the year for SGAC. The organization sponsors the Juell Johnson Jazz Festival, the spring art show for adults and school students and the summer story-telling series “Tales on the River.”

For more information, call (605) 773-6006.

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The South Dakota Historical Society Foundation is a private charitable nonprofit that seeks funding to assist the South Dakota State Historical Society in programming and projects to preserve South Dakota’s history and heritage for future generations.

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.