Community choir to perform in April

The Waupaca Community Choir will begin rehearsals Tuesday, Jan. 9, in Waupaca High School’s choir room.

On that evening, the scores will be on sale in the school’s commons/lobby hallway from 6:45-7:30 p.m.

The total cost of the music and participation will be $35.

The rehearsal will then take place from 7:30-9 p.m.

After that first week, weekly rehearsals will be from 7-9 p.m. each Tuesday.

Included in the timeframe will be at least two weeks of sectional work for the men versus women.

Next year will be the 55th anniversary of performing major choral works in Waupaca.

The concert weekend will be Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8.

Sponsored by the Waupaca Fine Arts Festival, the choir is non-auditioned and ranges in membership from 90 to 130 singers.

Previous experience is not required, and interested singers just need to show up.

Director Dan Wolfgram has decided to celebrate the works of American composer Mack Wilberg.

“For those unfamiliar with this composer, all you need do is search his name using your favorite search engine and then on YouTube. You will find that he is an American composer, arranger, conductor, choral clinician and the current music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” he said. “We will be featuring an array of his most famous compositions written for the choir. These selections will include folk tunes, hymns, spirituals and patriotic numbers. The program will be sung entirely in English.”

Wolfgram added, “I also want to address the issue of weather and attendance. Last year, the choir was smaller in number. It was reported to me that many members felt that due to three weeks of consecutively poor weather conditions in January that it was too late to join.

“While attendance at rehearsals is important to our journey together, do not let a few missed rehearsals due to poor weather or vacation plans prohibit you from being a member of this experience.”

Singers wishing to access the complete list of repertoire to be performed or who want to contact Wolfgram may do so by visiting fineartsfestival.org and clicking on the “choir” link.