“It’s gotta be twice as big! You’re pirates and you’re tough guys! Stick your chest out!”

It’s Tuesday afternoon and that’s Valerie Mack giving enthusiastic advice to members of the Butler Community College Chamber Singers in preparation for this weekend’s vocal music concert.

Gathered around a pair of gnarly-looking pirate-vocalists one-upping each other to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan’s fast-paced and rhythmic “Modern Major General,” the Chamber Singers are just one of the many vocal groups whose rehearsals are coming to a fever pitch as the department puts the finishing touches on its show entitled “The Classics.”

The general consensus seems to be that campus events, sick students and winter weather has put the show a little bit behind schedule, but that, like always, everything will come together as planned.

“We’ve really rushed to get it ready,” said vocal instructor Nancy Wesche. “We’re excited; there’s nobody that doesn’t like the classics.”

The Butler Ladies, led by Wesche, are performing some classic Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield and Patsy Cline. The Notables female quartet are doing “Let’s Hear It For the Boy” and The Beatle’s “Yesterday.”

The Headliners  have a Rolling Stones’ medley planned and the show will be capped off by the inspirational 1980s hit “We Are The World,” sung by the Concert Choir.

“It has a great message,” Mack said.

The show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday (final dress rehearsal), Friday and Saturday. At 3 p.m. Saturday, a special — and somewhat different —  show will feature Augusta High School’s choir, led by 2004 Butler grad Rachel Simmons.