The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Community choir's concert earns a gold star
PUBLISHED: June 5, 2008
The Ypsilanti Community Choir presented a stunning spring concert in honor of its 25th anniversary.
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Led by their talented conductor Ariel Toews-Ricotta, the choir performed 10 numbers, showcasing the choir's talent and versatility. Complimenting Mrs. Toews-Ricotta's directing was the very talented accompanist for the choir Phyllis Bogarin.
Master of Ceremonies Barry LaRue introduced Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber who read a proclamation from City Hall, honoring the choir's 25th Anniversary and proclaimed concert day as Ypsilanti Community Choir Day.
The choir was the founded in 1983 by Denise Rae Zellner who conducted the choir until 2006 when she lost her battle with cancer.
The anniversary concert featured four pieces performed by the choir in their debut concert 25 years ago, "With A Voice Of Singing," "When Jesus Wept," "Selections from The Sound Of Music," and "Battle Hymn Of The Republic." Led by longtime local organist, Jerry Hubbard, the choir opened with the upbeat and vibrant, "With A Voice Of Singing."
Conductor Toews-Ricotta followed with another from 1983, the somber and haunting, "When Jesus Wept," the choir showed its versatility - changing pace again. After performing "How Can I Keep From Singing" and "Mountain Dance," the choir closed out the first have of the concert with one of the all time favorites, "The Sound of Music" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The audience was treated to beautiful solos from B. Joyce Culbreath and Barbara Ginther. The audience was asked to join in on "Do Re Mi." The audience would have joined in anyway on such a fun and happy sing along song.
After the intermission Director Toews-Ricotta gave the audience more variety and change of pace with a Barbershop Quintet singing the traditional piece, "Aura Lee."
The "Over a Half a Ton of Fun" quintet made up of Don Fredrick, Wayne Jahnke, Bob Klaffke, Mike Srock, and Eric Walters, treated the capacity crowd at Emmanuel Lutheran Church to a wonderful rendition of this all time favorite.
The Community Choir began the second half of the Spring concert with "Sing For Joy, Alleluia" and "Distant Land - A Prayer For Freedom." This featured the ladies' quartet of Mary Hendricks, Samantha Jackson, Carol Terry, and Lisa Walters singing their melodic harmonies from the balcony, adding a tender touch to this very moving song.
An Aaron Copeland composition was next on the program, "Ching-A-Ring- Chaw."
The choir did its best to get all the ching-a-rings, and ching - a - chings in the right places, knowing that every choir member was right on with the final and loudest "CHAW!" It was great entertainment and lots of fun to listen to.
Accompanied by Kim Graor, Jane Bishop, Marge Taylor, Paul Vaughn, Mark Jeffers, Nathan Sparks and Carter Adler from the Ypsilanti Community Band, the choir finished the concert with a rousing arrangement of "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," the 4th piece from the choir's debut concert.
This grand finale' patriotic piece earned a well-deserved standing ovation from an appreciative, capacity crowd.
From the choir's archives, five names appeared on that first concert program that appears today. They are Marlene Barr, Millie Herman, Rich Valencourt, Phyllis Bogarin, and Sam Bogarin. Apologies go to any 25-year choir member missed.
The Ypsilanti community Choir is open to anyone with a desire to sing and be apart of a fine community tradition. No auditions are required. All concerts are free and open to the public. The choir relies on donations to continue this great organization.
The choir's next performance will be in August at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, appearing on the stage in Riverside Park.
Rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7:30 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, at 201 North River Street.
For more information and rehearsal times, please call 1-734- 572- 0893.
Tino Lambros is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance columnist for The Courier.
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