Indiana group to perform farewell concert Saturday

By Megan Finnerty
Features Editor

Words and the sounds of those words — those are what four women from Bloomington, Ind., have when they perform, but that's all they need.

Sarah Ferrell, Jessica Lewis, Stephanie Heidemann and Moira Smiley, members of the a cappella group Vida, braid sorrowful moans, quivering whispers and breathtaking vocal acrobatics into a musical rope that ties them from Indiana to Bulgaria to South Africa and beyond.

Smiley formed the group six years ago while she and the other women were freshmen at Indiana University, and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the University Church, the members of Vida will sing together for their farewell concert.

"It started out primarily as a way to have fun," Smiley said. "When I founded the group, I had a clear sense of what I thought we could do, but we never, as a group, knew just how far we would go. We've been through so much together, and really grown up together these past six years, so we believe very much in the power of music to hold four very different people together through thick and thin."

Smiley said that although there is a chance for a reunion, members of Vida will take their love of music and vocal talents in different directions after the concert. Ferrell will be going to China, Smiley to Europe, Lewis to Philadelphia and Heidemann to Virginia.

But as long as they're still singing together, members of Vida will continue to mix modern and traditional pieces from spiritual and sacred songs to folk pieces and workingman's songs.

Much of Vida's music is inspired by the rich and the spare, the subtle and the dramatic. The women of Vida write many of their own songs and sing works from regions such as Eastern Europe, the Appalachians and southern Africa. They also delve into early American gospel songs and the blues-tinged writing of John Prine.

"We started out covering and arranging traditional folk songs from traditions that many people hadn't even heard of or thought about," Smiley said. "These songs had such raw power and so many surprises for our American ears, and we loved the challenge and unique quality they brought to us as a group."

Richard Fudge, the publicist for Friends of Bob, the music cooperative bringing Vida to town, said that although Vida's second album, "In Bloom," gives listeners an idea of Vida's talents, hearing the women in person is a totally different and rewarding experience.

"Vida is an incredible group, and seeing them is a guaranteed amazing experience," he said. "The compact disc gives you an idea of what music to expect, but no idea of how stunning and powerful they are live.

"It's that proverbial hair-standing-on-end feeling."

Heidemann said audiences are normally surprised at the power of the women's voices — how much they can affect them emotionally.

"I think our audiences are brought on an adventure of emotions — from deep, soulful and thoughtful to uplifting and joyful. They are left with thought-provoking emotions."

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Features editor:
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