The Wichita State Summer Choir will present "British Invasion," featuring English artists from the 18th century through present day, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1, in Wiedeman Recital Hall.

A staple of Wichita State for more than 15 years, the choir is an outreach program that allows members of the community to sing, regardless of age or prior experience.

"The summer choir is kind of unique," said Tom Wine, director of the choir and professor of choral studies in the WSU School of Music. "It really is a community opportunity to gather and sing together."

With only seven rehearsals before the concert, a flood of information and song is packed into the hour and forty-five minute practices.

"It's pretty intense, compact rehearsal time," said Wine. This summer's concert is a ticketed event, set to take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1, in Wiedemann Recital Hall.

Regardless of the challenge, people in the community continue to participate year after year. Through summer choir, new participants can check out the campus while friends catch up on old times.

"We have some people who have done it for 10 out of the last 15 years," said Wine. "They look forward to coming back and seeing their friends."

This summer's theme is "British Invasion" and features music from the 18th century through present day. Artists include the Beatles, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Benjamin Britten and other English secular and sacred composers. The concert will also include a Queen piece, adopted by the popular TV show "Glee."

Past summers have featured a pop-light theme, Christmas in July and one concert with only Kansas composers. A Broadway theme, in conjunction with Music Theatre of Wichita, attracted a large crowd for WSU's Summer Choir. "We literally had standing room only," said Wine.

For more information, contact Tom Wine, director of choral activities at WSU, (316) 978-6125 or tom.wine@wichita.edu. To purchase tickets, call the WSU College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233 between noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.