The Mosaic Whispers to present annual a cappella concert March 2 and 3

The Mosaic Whispers, Washington University’s award-winning a cappella ensemble, will celebrate their “Super Sweet 16” anniversary with the release of a new CD, Behind Bars, during their annual “Splash of Color” concert.

“Splash of Color 2007” begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3, in Graham Chapel. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for the general public — $5 for students — and can be purchased the week of the show in Mallinckrodt Student Center, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; in Wohl Student Center, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and at the door.

For more information, call (616) 485-9170 or visit www.mosaicwhispers.com.

Combing a cappella and comedy, “Splash of Color” will feature guest performances by groups from both the campus a cappella community and from around the country. Friday’s show will feature the co-ed group After Dark and the all-female Greenleafs. Saturday’s show will feature the co-ed The Amateurs and the all-male Pikers. Mama’s Pot Roast, Washington University’s premiere improv comedy troupe, will provide pre-concert entertainment both evenings.

Founded in 1991, the Mosaic Whispers are the oldest co-ed a cappella group at Washington University. Their repertoire includes original arrangements of everything from hard rock, pop and jazz to oldies, country, soul and funk. The group performs extensively throughout St. Louis and nationally; recent trips have taken them to Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. They’ve advanced to the Midwest Semi-Finals of the ICCA (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella) three times and appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Behind Bars, the Mosaic Whisper’s eighth studio album, features songs recorded over the past three years. Previous recordings include Defrosted (2004), Against the Grain (2002) and the 10th anniversary album Vested Interest (2000) — all of which can be purchased at Splash of Color, the Washington University Campus Store or from the group’s website. In addition, the Mosaic Whispers have appeared on four national a cappella compilations: Best of College A Cappella (2002); the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Association’s Awards Compilation 2002; Voices Only (2005) and the Collegiate A Cappella Music Association’s Top Shelf A Cappella: Volume 1 (2005).

The Mosaic Whispers are: Aaron Burr, Emma Cardeli, Tudor Foote, Jennifer Gross, Jon Kleiman, Aaron Lewis, Julia Mancini, Matt Nelson, Nick Pizzoferrato, John Michael Rotello, Ilana Schwartz, Katie Sullivan, Ariel Wentworth, and Reynolds Whalen.