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Saginaw Choral Society Showcases
Eclectic Mix
By Robert E. Martin
As they embark upon their 71st season, The Saginaw Choral Society (SCS) has garnered a noted reputation at the pinnacle of Tri-City fine arts groups.
A 100-member, fully auditioned, and
completely volunteer performance ensemble, each season the group strives
to present a strong mix of classical, contemporary, and popular concerts
for the community. In addition to strong critical acclaim, the group has
received national awards & honors and built a substantial regional
following - not an easy task in this age of ring tones and downloads.
For the past two decades, SCS has
presented an annual Choral Society Christmas Concert featuring a myriad
of internationally acclaimed artists, including Andy Williams, Tony
Bennett, Doc Severinsen, Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, Burt
Bacharach, Lee Greenwood and Brian d/Arcy James. They have
also appeared with the inimitable Dave Brubeck, The Boys Choir of
Harlem, and Bay City's own Kevin Cole.
By providing mentoring opportunities,
in-school performances and concert ticket incentives, the Choral Society
advances vocal art appreciation and nurtures young talent, awarding
scholarships for summer music study at the famed Interlochen Music
Camp.
For the 2206-2007 concert season,
a special performance by David Haas will commence their 71st
year of performances. A Bridgeport and Diocese of Saginaw native, Haas
is highly regarded as one of the preeminent contemporary Christian music
composers in the English-speaking world. Backed by a chamber ensemble of
Choral Society singers, he opens the season in the glorious St.
Mary's Cathedral at 7:30 PM.
The SCS 'Choral Series' will kick off
with a presentation of Homecoming on October 19 & 20th
at Horizons Conference Center. Last year SCS staged a successful
theme production entitled 'Prom', and according to Tammy Grefe,
"This year's presentation will be even better, with more surprises and
even more nostalgia. This performance will have you dreaming of football
games and cheek to cheek dancing in your high school gym.
Cocktails & hors d'oeuvres will start at
6:30 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM, with concert and dancing at 8:15 PM.
Few singers have exhibited the staying
power of Judy Collins. For nearly 45 illustrious years her dulcet
tones have graced our ears, and her poetic lyrics have galvanized a
generation. On December 9th,
the SCS will present an exceptional performance by this talented artist
in a showcase 23rd
Annual Holiday Concert at the Temple Theatre with the
Saginaw Youth Chorale at 3:00 & 8:00 PM.
The first performance of 2007 will begin
with the 3rd
Annual Members Recital at First Congregational Church at 7:30
PM. A musical potpourri of everything from Amazing Grace to
Somewhere Over the Rainbow will be presented non-stop in a
delightful and eclectic feast for the years.
To take away the chill of the winter
months, a concert version of Meredith Wilson's homegrown story of Harold
Hill and Marian the Librarian will be presented in The Music Man
at the Dow Event Center on February 24th
at 8 PM. The Choral Society promises to do every single tune in this
quintessential slice of Americana, featuring wonderful music, engaging
characters, and an uplifting story.
On April 21st
the Saginaw Choral Society will present an encore performance of
Loose Caboose, one of the seminal folk & bluegrass groups from the
'70s and '80s. Last year the reunion of original members Tim Grefe,
Chris Barton, Dave Eggebrecht and John Hagaman filled the
Temple Theatre to capacity, and this year promises no exception.
Season tickets can be obtained by
contacting the Saginaw Choral Society at 326 S. Jefferson
Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 or by phoning 989-753-1812.
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