Our annual Benefit Concert, "A Season to Shine" was finally here, At the "Baruch Performing Arts Center" we were expected to appear, Excited alike were the veteran and new members, This would be a performance to remember!
The day began with an early call time, Everyone carrying baked treats and looking just fine! Michael Anne, Olga T. & Noella were stunning in Red, Alex, Gary and Phil dressed in Blue the tenors led. In the alto section Carrie sparkled and shined, And René topped it all with an Orange sublime!
The first task was a general rehearsal. How should we stand? You'll be there, I'll be here, everyone hold your music with your left hand! We went through the repertoire tuning our voices and refining our part, With René's final adjustments, soon it was time for the concert to start.
We headed to the backstage excited and eager to begin, And while we waited Bass Barry Started to sing, "It had to be you" he ingeniously improvised for us newbies, And Deb with "Certificates of Achievement" made us all shine like rubies, Maryann and Laura S. were never absent at rehearsals this season, so for celebrating there was more than one reason.
Attention please, It's time to line up! Rob called out, chaos broke loose, the right place in the line was for everyone a huge doubt, after fumbling a little and giggling a lot, We were finally ready, everyone in their spot. So we walked on stage, the lights shone bright Seeing our friends and family was a delight, (and soooo many people gave us a bit of stage fright).
"Furaha!" We sang first, wishing joy for each and every day, And so the concert was well on its way.
"Carol of the Bells" was a favorite for many of us, So excited to sing it we took off a bit rushed. René made no fuss, He led us to the last notes, “Ding Dong Ding Dong”, That was a wonderful song!
Next the lovely Lily invited the audience to join in, For the Yiddish tongue twisting "Ciri biri biri bim", We all concentrated to come in on cue, It turned out just right, a sigh of relief we all blew.
Then Pearl introduced "Gentrai", the beautiful Irish song, and we knew our sopranos couldn't go wrong, Seconds together with altos as Uilleann pipes hummed, And with intricate lyrics the first sopranos were then summed.
Next Carol King's "You've got a friend", The audience enjoyed from beginning to end. Laura Wells and Charlie blew me away with their heartfelt duet, And Evelyn's violin was so special it will be hard to forget.
The Bass and Tenors were the highlight of the "Kwanzaa Song", "Continuous, continuous" they all sang along, Then the time came to "Light one candle" And even though I had a few doubts, with the help of my fellow seconds it was easy to handle!
The intermission arrived in a flash, And off for our treats the audience made a dash, The Bourbon brownies I hear were a must, They sold out so quickly nothing was left, not even a crust.
The second part began with "Sleigh Ride", the bells started ringing, And to a fast tempo we were tightly clinging, Rene led the horses with a clip and a clop, Carrie had practiced "the slap" all night. That's why the "special effects" were the song's highlight!
The time came for "That Lonesome Road", And in her solo our dear Nancy her talents showed, She wowed the audience with her vibrant jazzy voice, For this song she was the perfect choice!
Then it was time to dance with "The Boys", "Oye Como Va" let's make some noise, Barbara in percussion and Marv's flute, To the great Tito Puente we payed tribute.
The room was suddenly quiet when Dave began to play, His "Holiday Medley Guitar Solo", blew the audience away, It set the perfect festive atmosphere, I felt honored to have such a talented peer!
Our 4 Lennons came on stage for "Happy Xmas (War is over)", Of course I mean: Brian, Andrea, Gary and Tony Glover, They gave a unique feel to a traditional tune, There won't be a cooler quartet anytime soon.
Anthony put on his shades, he knew it was time to have fun, "Proud Mary" was next, “nice and rough” was how it had to be done, I had always dreamed of singing it one day, And with Tony's improv. we put on quite a display.
The repertoire included some sing alongs, “Rock-a my Soul” and “Michael Row the Boat Ashore”, I was happy to see our board members singing and dancing galore, Last but not least, with "Let there Be Peace on Earth" the concert was coming to an end, And for this one, with the past alumni we made a perfect blend.
I felt so lucky to be part of such a diverse and wonderful crowd, We looked at each other and gracefully bowed, I never thought so many friends I would acquire, Thank you for being so awesome "Peace of Heart Choir".
-Olga Pinto, Choir Singer
It has become a tradition for a member of POHC to do a post-concert write-up. It started when our Sign-up Coordinator began emailing her summaries to the other members in order to entice newer members to sign-up to sing at community concerts held early in the season. It didn’t take long for Concert Write-ups to become greatly anticipated amongst our members, so we share them here in hopes that you’ll join us at a future concert
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