The University of South Carolina Concert Choir were recently invited to sing backup to the Grammy-winning Eagles on their song “The Last Resort” during the rock legends’ Hotel California March 30 concert at the Colonial Life Center.
Earlier this year, USC Director of Choral Studies Alicia W. Walker received a request from the Eagles tour management team for an ensemble of 22 singers — six sopranos, five altos, six tenors and five basses. Walker decided to first fill the choir with graduate choral students and graduating seniors, and later offered younger students the chance to sing.
We were really thrilled to sing with such an iconic band!
— Dr. Alicia W. Walker, USC Director of Choral Studies
“Even though the Eagles have been around a long time, many of our students know and
love their music — and were really thrilled to sing with such an iconic band. They
learned the music quickly and with just one rehearsal were all set,” says Walker.
The selected choir spent the first half of the concert backstage and then performed “The Last Resort” right before the intermission. After they left the stage, the Eagles’ band members thanked them for singing with them. They were then able to go out into the audience to enjoy the second half of the concert.
“It was fantastic to see these legendary performers still singing and playing at the highest level,” says Walker. “My favorite quote of the night was from Don Henley, who said, ‘We still practice!’”
About The Choirs of Carolina
The Concert Choir performs each semester in Columbia, as well as touring across the state of South Carolina, and beyond. The ensemble rehearses four days per week. International tours typically take place every other year, at the end of the spring semester. It is one of six choral ensembles available for USC students to join.
The Choirs of Carolina ensembles perform throughout the year in musical styles ranging from early music to vocal jazz, with an emphasis on excellence in every choir. Students have an opportunity to perform on and off campus, meet others with similar interests, and travel the world making great music.