Spring Concert, ‘Songs of Love and Springtime’

Presented by Peninsula Singers

When: 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8

Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.

Tickets: $15 adults, $12 for students and seniors available at the door

The Peninsula Singers are feeling the love for this year’s spring concert.

The choral group is hosting its concert, “Songs of Love and Springtime” set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8 with dress rehearsals open to the public at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 N. Blake Ave. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and $5 at the dress rehearsals available at the door.

Conductor and musical director Dr. Jerome Wright said this concert features a variety of music revolving around the theme of love.

“There’s something for everybody,” Wright said. “That was the idea to make (these concerts) inclusive and interesting about all different aspects of love.”

Each concert is divided into four sections: madrigals, Liebeslieder Waltzes of Brahms, an intermission, love songs in folk music and love songs in Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals.

Wright said Peninsula Singers have been rehearsing for these concerts weekly since January.

“It’s a whole variety of approaches,” Wright said.

From lighthearted madrigals to sorrowful songs of unrequited love, these concerts will take its audience on a ride.

“It’s really quite fun,” Wright said. “It takes you through a lot emotions.”

The program is as follows:

Section 1: The Madrigals include (“Nymphs & Shepherds”): “In These Delightful Pleasant Groves” by Henry Purcell, “Sfogava con le Stelle” by Claudio Monteverdi, “mon coeur se recommande a vous” by Orlando di Lasso, and “Collette” by Gevaert.

Section 2: “The Liebeslieder Waltzes” of Brahms, Op. 52, are sung in German by an ensemble of 12 singers with four piano hands.

Section 3: Love Songs in Folk Music: “Three Mountain Ballads,” Arr. by Ron Nelson (“He’s Gone Away, Will He Remember” and Barbara Allen); “The Dark Eyed Sailor” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Section 4: Love Songs in Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals: “South Pacific Medley,” “Hello, Young Lovers” (from “The King and I” – soprano solo), “If I Loved You” (from “Carousel” as a duet); “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (“Carousel”) with “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” (“The Sound of Music”).

Wright also said the concerts will feature a number of soloists: Sopranos Stacey Fradkin, Heidi Favish and Karen Pritchard, Altos Bonnie Christianson and Vicki Helwick and Tenors Trent Pomeroy and Robin Reed and Baritones Ray Chirayath and Joel Yelland. Linda Dowdell will accompany and Darrell Plank will join her at the piano for Brahms.

For more information about Peninsula Singers, visit http://peninsulasingers.org/ or contact Dr. Wright at maestro@olympus.net.

Peninsula Singers are setting the mood for the season with its upcoming spring concerts “Songs of Love and Springtime” set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Conductor/musical director Dr. Jerome Wright said, “there’s something for everybody” at this year’s spring concert. Sequim Gazette photo by Erin Hawkins