Fall in love with Choral Arts’ singers tonight

Love songs, sentimental favorites part of ‘Falling in Love’ program

Songs that celebrate joy, life and new love are among the music selections that Choral Arts of Chattanooga will perform during the choir’s concert tonight, May 18, at Second Presbyterian Church, 700 Pine St.

“Falling in Love” will begin at 7:30 p.m., directed by Darrin Hassevoort.

Kim Thompson, board president and member of Choral Arts, says tonight’s concert is more lighthearted fare than previous concerts this season, part of the choir’s ongoing effort to present a variety of styles from classical to pop, Broadway and Hollywood in its performances.

“We started off the season doing ‘Lux Aeterna’ by Morten Lauridsen, went a little lighthearted for Christmas, then did Brahms and Beethoven with a string quintet. So we’re trying to cover many different genres,” he says.

“Falling in Love” will include a medley from “West Side Story,” as well as an arrangement by Robert Edgerton of “Somewhere” from that musical. A second medley will feature music from “The Secret Garden.”

Thompson says the choir will sing the work of a new composer, Kirke Meachem, called “The Lighthearted Lovers,” taken from a poem by John Dryden.

“We’re doing ‘ Yesterday,’ an arrangement by Mac Huff that was recorded by Boyz II Men, and ‘Make Our Garden Grow,’ from ‘Candide,’ arranged by Robert Page,” says Thompson.

The program also includes “Almost Like Being in Love” f rom “Brigadoon” and “A Grand Night for Singing” from the film, “State Fair.”

John Wigal will accompany the singers.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Well-known songs from film and theater are on Choral Arts’ program tonight.