Chattanooga Times Free Press

‘HERE, THERE and EVERYWHERE’

CHOO CHOO CHORUS TAKES ITS AUDIENCE ON A MUSICAL JOURNEY

- STAFF REPORT

Members of the Choo Choo Chorus have created a set list of songs about places they love. Chattanoog­ans can hear the guys perform them in four-part harmony at their upcoming show, “Here, There and Everywhere,” on Saturday, Aug. 26. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. in Frierson Auditorium of Girls Preparator­y School, 205 Island Ave.

Their musical travel will include “Shenandoah,” “California Here I Come,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “Sitting on Top of the World,” “Old Folks at Home” and, of course, “Chattanoog­a Choo Choo.”

The Choo Choo Chorus is a member of the national Barbershop Harmony Society and is an active member of the Chattanoog­a community music scene. In addition to three stage shows each year, the singers perform for events such as Special Olympics, Memorial Day and Veterans Day services, Lookouts and Chattanoog­a Football Club games, for eldercare homes and civic organizati­ons.

The two dozen singers performing Saturday will be directed by Paul Blazek, who is marking 25 years with the Choo Choo Chorus. In addition to directing, he serves as a district officer, a contest judge and sings with Nashville’s barbershop chorus.

Special guests at Saturday’s performanc­e will be Rooftop Records quartet from Florida. The quartet has been named Collegiate Quartet champs, Southern District champs and, just last month, was a 2017 Internatio­nal Barbershop Quartet finalist in Las Vegas.

With the community’s support for programs such as “Here, There and Everywhere,” the Choo Choo Chorus has raised more than $45,000 in the last 10 years from ticket sales. The nonprofit chorus returns proceeds back to this community by donating to the Walter Boehm Birth Defect Center.

Tickets for “Here, There and Everywhere” are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Children 12 and younger are free.

For more informatio­n: 423-265-7464 or choo choochorus.org.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO ?? The Choo Choo Chorus
CONTRIBUTE­D PHOTO The Choo Choo Chorus

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