Kingwood group brings jazz, classical music to area
The Kingwood Chorale will bring “100 years of Broadway” to the stage 7:30 p.m., May 6-7 at the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, 5520 Kingwood Drive in Humble.
Special guests will include Kristen Hertzenberg and the Chamber Orchestra.
The Chamber Orchestra is a professional group composed of musicians from the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestra. Hertzenberg is native to King-
wood and a former vocalist for “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The Lake Houston Musical Arts Society is made up of the Kingwood Chorale and the Kingwood Big Band. The society brings jazz and classical music selections performed by local talent from the northeast Houston area to Kingwood.
“It’s a beautiful testament to our community when we draw people from the entire Northeast Houston region and they come together for a common purpose of making beautiful music,” said Todd Miller, artistic director of the Kingwood Chorale.
The nonprofit relies on community support, paid memberships and ticket sales to pay operating expenses. It partners with Lone Star CollegeKingwood to raise money scholarships for fine arts students. The Kingwood Big Band
The Kingwood Big Band is made up of about 20 members, and has been under the direction of Alfredo Vélez for the past six years.
“The band has really evolved in the last six years and we continue to evolve,” said Vélez. “I try to pick music that highlights our performers, and just swings really hard.”
Vélez attributes his music selection to the sounds of the World War II era. With musical compositions from jazz stylists Duke Ellington, Harry James and Stan Kenton. The majority of members are working professionals who have careers outside of playing in the band. The band typically performs several times a year and each performance has played to a full house. The Kingwood Chorale
The Kingwood Chorale has been under the direction of Miller for the past 20 years. He has seen the chorale expand from 35 members to an 85 member ensemble that holds 2-3 different productions each year. Much like the Kingwood Big Band, the members are a mixture of all ages and have different career fields.
“Being a part of this chorale is a constant learning experience,” said Jane French, a chorale member and chairman of the audience development committee.
“There is a real mix of members in both groups and we really get to know each other.”
Inspired by American music of different time periods, Miller has chosen to present “100 Years of Broadway,” which includes hits from blockbuster’s shows like “Oklahoma!,” “Rent” And “Phantom of the Opera.”
“I think it is one of the only institutions where you have multiple generations of people doing the same activity and being passionate together,” said Miller. “To hear music performed by your friends and neighbors is a very powerful thing.”