Wanting Memories, Nov. 24th Concert

Itasca Community Chorus is singing with that old-time college choral sound thanks to the hard work of our new director Sam Evans.  Assisted by his lovely "new" wife Lenora, singers are digging in, rehearsing outside the Tuesday evening formal time together, and laughing a lot during our intense rehearsals.

Sunday, Nov. 24th the 45-piece ensemble will perform at the Reif Performing Arts Center at 3:00 pm.  Repertoire includes wonderfully rich text and scores by Eric Whitacre, Matthew Coulton, and Paul Christianson.  Each selection leaves vocalists asking "How Can I Keep from Singing," but my all time favorite is "Wanting Memories." I'm "sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty of the world through mine own eyes."

Joining the full choir accompanied by Stuart Boehr is the Deer River Senior High Choir.  This will be a great concert to introduce our seasons of thankfulness and holiday joy.

General admission tickets ($8) are available from choir members or at the door.  Student tickets are free courtesy of the Lake Country Power Operation RoundUp grant.

How Can I Keep from Singing

Yes, choir members.  It's here! Tuesday evening, Sept. 3 at 6:30 pm we start our new season with a fresh, new director Sam Evans and a seasoned, new accompanist Stuart Boehr.  So what's old?  How about a repeat of "How Can I Keep from Singing"?

Come early, pick up your folder, and enjoy getting acquainted with new choir members and old friends.  Better yet, bring new members with you.  Dues are the same as last year--$25 per semester, but the procedures are new:  we'll start singing promptly at 6:30.

If you can't make it, please email  itascacommunitychorus@gmail.com.  That will take you to conversation with Sam. 

See you there on Tuesday, Sept. 3

New Director, New Accompanist, New Season

Tuesday evening, June 11, 2013,  Itasca Community Choir was privileged to audition two outstanding candidates for the position of artistic director.  As singers left, several commented,  “Good luck.  I’m so glad I’m not on the Board.”  

The decision was not easy, but after careful deliberation, Itasca Choral Society President Charlie Talley entertained a motion to offer the 2013-2014 artistic director contract to Sam Evans.  Sam graduated from Concordia with a BA in vocal music education.  

Accompanying the choir this season will be Stuart Boehr, the Zion Lutheran music director.  Stuart looks forward to relinquishing the baton to a director and doing what he loves best—supporting the ensemble from the keyboard.     

The Board greatly appreciates all who turned out for the reading chorus and provided feedback. After Labor Day, we'll see you Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 at the Zion Lutheran Choir Room.  Plan ahead and bring your friends.

It's Young & Old. Song & Dance. It's Broadway. . .

Last evening Itasca Community Chorus was mesmerized by the costumed Reif Dancers who lit up the lyrics "There's No Business Like Show Business." Dancing to the mellow tones of Greg Tuttle's "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" and spoofing themselves in Chicago's  "all that jazz," these young women brought energy and fresh appeal to the beloved Broadway music.

Well known directors like Rhoda Flinck, Maria Annoni, and Eileen Grosland warmed the mikes with quality renditions of sections of 100 Years of Broadway and Beyond and narrators filled us in on the history of Broadway while slides of the show posters played on the wings of the Reif.

Several generations of Grand Rapids talented have joined hands in bringing this show alive.  And it's ever so affordable for families--$8 adult general admission thanks to an Arrowhead Regional Arts grant and free student tickets courtesy of a Lake Country Operation RoundUp grant.

 Tickets are available at the door. The Reif seats over 600, so come, savor a live performance, and acquaint yourselves anew with the heartwarming sounds of Broadway music. 

That's this Friday, April 5 at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids.

We Need You

In the company of others, we all do better.  Singers project better; dancers move more precisely, and friends smile more broadly.

Today we're looking for someone who really wants to connect  friends who love to sing and an audience to keep them singing.  Itasca Community Chorus needs a board member or volunteer who loves to build relationship through the social media.

Last night the chorus recorded for the dancers.  Kate Smith is choreographing the Reif Dancers for the 7:00 pm concert April 5 at the Reif but we need AUDIENCE.  That's where you come in.  If you can help us publicize this concert and get us up and moving with regular communications throughout the year, please use Itasca Choral Society in the subject line and email grandrapidsarts@gmail.

YOU could be the difference.