Boys Choir closes season with ‘Finale!’

LAST PERFORMANCE BEFORE TOUR CHOIR HEADS TO NEW YORK CITY

The Chattanooga Boys Choir is holding its season- ending “Finale!” concert tonight, May 11, at Second Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m.

The concert will feature all five component choirs of the CBC. The program spans musical eras from the Baroque period to modern American musical theater. This will be the f inal performance before the CBC Tour Choir heads to New York City in June, where the singers will make appearances at Queens College, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Carnegie Hall.

Director Vincent Oakes says among arrangements to be performed are American folk songs, African-American spirituals and a song of praise from Argentina, “¡El Cielo Canta Alegria!”

The choir will premiere a new setting of the Scottish folk song, “The Water Is Wide,” by composer Amy Pummill Stewart from Texas. Oakes says the choristers held a rehearsal with the composer via Skype, receiving instruction on how to perform the piece and the composer’s commentary on how it was crafted.

The choir also will perform a variety of popular favorites including “Pure Imagination” from “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “For Good” from the musical “Wicked.”

The program will close with a special rendition of “One Song,” the popular ballad by American film and musical theater composer Marvin Hamlisch.

“‘Finale!’ will be a fun evening of a varied program of music, where everyone will be able to find a favorite among the repertoire,” says Oakes. “This performance brings to a close a magical season of over 30 appearances and programs by the choir in which we have had amazing opportunities to learn, perform, engage and connect.”

There is no admission charged for this concert; however, a goodwill offering benefiting the choir’s educational programs will be collected during the program.

STAFF PHOTO BY TIM BARBER Vic Oakes leads a rehearsal at Second Presbyterian Church. The choir will present its final concert of the season tonight.