Both performers and audiences were given a treat when Chanticleer performed “A Chanticleer Christmas” in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall Nov. 27.

“The songs were incredible, and while I hadn’t heard some of them before, I still enjoyed listening to them,” Ryan Putz, UW-Platteville student and audience member, said.

The international “orchestra of voices” from San Francisco performed a few gospel pieces and closed with their own interpretations of some classical holiday songs.

“I think it was an excellent way to end their concert as people always enjoy hearing songs they grew up with,” Putz said.

The group was able to come and perform as part of the Center for the Arts Performing Arts Series, which is supported by the Wisconsin Art Board and the Segregated University Fee Allocation Commission.

“It’s wonderful to be here,” Matthew Oltman, assistant music director for Chanticleer, said. “There is such a strong choral tradition in the area, it’s great to see.”

According to the group’s Web site, chanticleer.org, the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group was formed in 1978 in order to “present choral music at the highest level of excellence, and to encourage worldwide appreciation of the art of ensemble singing through live performances, recordings, education and the creation of new choral works.”

Now in its 30th season, the full-time performing ensemble is extremely selective in who is allowed to join Chanticleer.

“Auditions are held once a year and only if someone in the group decides he wants to leave will there be spots open for an audition,” Cortez Mitchell, first season alto, said. “When I joined there were two spots because one man left to pursue a solo career and the other left to obtain his master’s degree.”

Chanticleer is continuing its holiday tour around the United States until Dec. 23, when they will resume rehearsal until their international tour begins on Jan. 23.

“This is the best part, getting to be on the road, being on tour and visiting areas where people like what we do,” Alan Reinhardt, alto Chanticleer member, said. “We get paid to share our love of vocal music with people who want to listen to it.”