The Scenic City Chorale will perform its spring concert on May 18 at 3 p.m. at Brainerd United Methodist Church. It is a milestone performance honoring the 60 years since the Chorale was established. Conducting the concert will be Jim Bailiff. The guest soloist is Bo Callaway. Accompanists are Freda Hart and Cheryl McAfee. Instrumentalists are Preston Gonter and Gary Hicks.
The program will be in three parts representing its repertoire. The first section will be sacred songs. Section two will be a sampling of popular songs and will include “Georgia on My Mind” and a medley from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. Chorale member Margaret Abernathy will also perform several solos. A section of patriotic music will follow, and the program will conclude with the Chorale’s signature song, “Let There Be Peace” conducted by the group’s previous music director Ron Starnes.
Today’s 50 plus singers, mostly seniors, are from throughout the Tennessee Valley region. One member summarized why the singers have returned year after year for 60 years. “We are talented, welcoming and caring men and women who sing weekly and perform together. Our minds are sometimes not as sharp as they used to be and our memories tend to be a bit cloudy. We simply love all kinds of choral music, and we enjoy getting together every Tuesday morning from September to May and sharing our music with audiences.”
The sacred section of the program will include a tribute to Randall Thompson, one of America’s greatest composers and teachers, on the 125th anniversary of his birth. He earned a B.A. and M.A. from Harvard and his Ph.D. from the Eastman School of Music. A composer of choral works, symphonies and operas, Dr. Thompson received many awards, honors and doctoral degrees for his contribution to American music.
The Scenic City Chorale is a non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. Members pay minimum annual dues and concerts are presented without charge. New members are welcomed in September and January. For information, contact sceniccitychorale123@gmail.com or view the SCC Facebook group page: Scenic City Chorale.