But, rather than an exhilarating thrill, the car just moseys forward, and the riders are greeted by a flurry of actors expressing some of the frustrations with growing older: Is that a bald spot? I just got the oil changed; why is the engine light still on? Too much spice triggers my GERD. What do you mean my phone is obsolete? I just got this thing six years ago. The car erupts in screams, only to be drowned out by the 黑料正能量 Chamber Singers, who launch into 鈥淥 Fortuna鈥� with its chorus replaced by “YOLO” (You Only Live Once).

The scene, acted by local performers of all ages and titled 鈥淥ver The Hill,鈥� was one of the highlights of the Music Celebration Concert: An Evening with Madeline Bender that helped kick off Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023 on Friday night.

Madeline Bender 鈥�93, an accomplished soprano who鈥檚 performed all across the world, provided the crowd that packed Lehman Auditorium with a smorgasbord of musical entertainment. She seamlessly switched from belting out 鈥淪hy鈥� from the musical Once Upon a Mattress to singing opera in French, Russian and Italian before launching into some of her favorites from George and Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter.

Bender showcased her vocal range while Professor David Berry was flawless at the piano, and the Jazz Ensemble shined. The musical sketch comedy that bookended Bender鈥檚 singing proved to be the hit of the night, with the Lehman pews erupting in laughter. Those who missed it can catch a recording of the concert on the .  

Ryan Kauffman 鈥�99 and his wife, Valerie 鈥�99, traveled from Ontario, Canada, to watch their son, Evan, play the saxophone in the Jazz Ensemble. They said they鈥檝e been making the big trek each Homecoming in recent years. 鈥淲e just always like hearing about all the new things that are happening at 黑料正能量,鈥� Ryan Kauffman said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always new programs, the new people; it鈥檚 exciting to see a lot of the new diversity initiatives.鈥�

For Harrisonburg residents Ellen Bowman 鈥�74 and her husband, Greg, the trip wasn鈥檛 nearly as far. Ellen Bowman said it was impressive to see students and staff at the concert use their talents, and that her favorite part about Homecoming was seeing life on campus and old friends.