The Medford Singers are celebrating 35 years of raising their voices in the Cowichan Valley with two performances of their spring concert 'We Are Song'.
Musical director Connie Masson will be at the helm, with pianist Angelica Lopez-Arzate accompanying.
Lovers of the collective voice will be treated to a fun afternoon of uplifting numbers such as 'I Believe' an anonymous Jewish poem, 'Closer to the Flame' by Boersma and David Lantz III which will feature mother and daughter duo Ellisha and Lucy Blackburn.
They will also be jazzing it up with Rip Roarin' Fifties' — a medley arranged by Alan Billingsley, as well as standards of the genre such as 'Moonglow' from Will Hudson, Irving Mills, and Eddie DeLange, and Gershwin's 'A Foggy Day' featuring Jennifer Cleough and Brian Husband.
Cleough will also be performing Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' accompanied by Lopez-Arzate, who will also play ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' as a piano solo.
"It's always a joy to sing with Angie's accompaniment, she is an accomplished concert pianist," said Cleough. "I'm looking forward to performing 'Don't Stop Believing', because it is a well loved song that may well encourage the audience to participate."
Lopez-Arzate's teaches piano at Brentwood College, as well as through her own Lart Music Studio. Outside of teaching Lopez-Arzate regularly prepares and performs solo piano concerts for senior homes. She is also studying music production, and is currently working on producing her own compositions and arrangements for a network channel which she said has been an exciting new chapter in her musical journey. As she moves on to new musical endeavours this will be her final performance with the Medford Singers.
"Since arriving in Duncan, it has been a joy and a privilege to collaborate with the Medford Singers," said Lopez-Arzate. "I’ve felt such strong support and connection from the group, and performing with them has been a truly enriching experience. That’s why it’s difficult for me to step away from this collaboration. However, I am confident the choir will continue to thrive under the wonderful leadership of Connie Mason, whose hard work and dedication over the past year have inspired great commitment from the entire group."
The first performance of "We Are Song" will be at Duncan United Church on May 25 at 2 p.m., with another the following Sunday at 2 p.m., at St. Christopher's and St. Aidan's Church in Lake Cowichan on June 1. Tickets are $25, and are available at Volume One Bookstore in Duncan. There will be no charge for accompanied children 12 years and under.
"It's always a joy to present people with music, and the choir concerts are a great vehicle to do just that," said Cleough. "Music lovers will enjoy beautiful harmonies, and a sense of community as this well seasoned choir completes their 35th season. We hope that new voices will join us next season."
