LA GRANDE — Every winter, Peter Wordelman wants to give audiences a chance to smile and laugh and maybe sing along with the high-energy show presented by the Eastern Oregon University chamber choir and music department.

“It’s a great show for the middle of winter,” Wordelman, EOU professor of music, said just before a noon rehearsal on Jan. 23.

This year’s production, slated for Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, is titled “You, Me & We: Music That Brings US Together.”

“It’s basically a collection of songs from the 1960s to today,” he said.

Most relate to the show title and include the words “you,” “me” or “we.”

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, in Loso Hall’s McKenzie Theater at EOU.

Tickets are $10 each online at eou.edu/music. Tickets at the EOU bookstore and Red Cross Drug in La Grande are $10 adults and $8 for students and seniors, or buy 10 or more for $7 each.

Red Cross Drug, Wordelman said, is a long-time sponsor of this winter show.

“We could never do the show without Red Cross Drug,” he said.

Tickets sell fast, so he recommends buying in advance.

Fast and furious

The students started learning the songs last semester, but rehearsal didn’t begin until Jan. 10.

The group of 40 rehearses every weekday at noon, and then a smaller section signed up to learn the dance routines from Zachary Murray, the choreographer and director of the show.

The dance class practices for 2½ hours, Monday through Friday.

“They’re working super hard,” Wordelman said.

He encourages audience members to bring a friend — or 10.

“It’s fun to come with other people,” he said. “It’s designed as flat-out entertainment. People come year after year.”

The band, led by Luke McKern, will include both EOU faculty and community members.

The choreographer

This winter show has benefited from a guest choreographer for several years, and this is Murray’s first time working with the EOU staff and students.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Murray lives in the Los Angeles area where he works with Disney and other theme parks.

He said his work experience, especially four years touring with The Young Americans, helps him work with dancers who have varying levels of experience.

“We had to teach high school to elementary students every three days,” he said.

Prior to arriving at EOU, Murray worked with Wordelman on the set list and developed choreography for three numbers. The rest, he said, waited until he met the students.

“It’s fun to see them grow and come out of their shell,” he said. “It’s going to be fun and exciting and visually appealing.”

Although he wants to surprise the audiences, Wordelman did say the two-hour show includes a Motown section featuring “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Stand By Me,” “Can’t Hurry Love” and “Lean On Me.”

Other selections range from big musical numbers to more contemporary songs.

“I wrote it so it really connects to each person that comes,” Wordelman said. “People will be able to find their own relationships with the songs.”