Chorus proves old is new again

By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS
mdrahos@record-eagle.com

June 07, 2008 04:00 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Its focus may be on preserving tradition, but this year the Cherry Capital Chorus is all about change: a new director, new members and a new location for its popular show, June Night of Harmony.

"We're excited to have the show in town, make it a little easier for people to come," said Jeffrey Cobb, who will direct the barbershop group in its 42nd annual show June 13 and 14 at the City Opera House.

The 7:30 p.m. show will feature the 50-voice chorus -- the Traverse City chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society -- plus several quartets from the group. Guest performers include Sashay, a quartet from sister organization Sweet Adelines; and The Rounders, winner of the 2006 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards for their debut album and title song "I Wanna Be Around." The Florida quartet placed 12th at the 2004 International Barbershop Harmony contest.

In keeping with its theme "Everything Old is New Again," the show will trace the growth of the area, from the late 1800s when the Opera House was built, through the '50s and '60s to the present, as well as the chorus's growth as an organization, Cobb said.

"We're tying into the idea that this is the start of a new era for the guys, we're writing a new chapter in the book, as it were," said the former Traverse City Central High School choral director, who has recruited several former students for the group. "We're getting some fresh blood, some younger guys as well as some veterans. This summer we're also branching out into spirituals and gospels and other traditional male a cappella music."

The show will mark Cobb's first Night of Harmony with the chorus since taking over as director in 2007. Besides singing and competing -- it regularly places among the top four choruses in district contests -- the chapter holds fundraising events and donates more than $7,000 annually to local hearing- and speech-related charities and youth singing in area schools.

"I'm really excited to be on board with the organization," said Cobb, also a composer-arranger and pianist who performs regularly at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa's Aerie Restaurant. "It's a great group of guys. We have great fun and make a lot of good music."

Tickets for the show are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. They're available online at www.cherrycapitalchorus.org; by phone at the City Opera House, 941-8082; at Captain's Quarters in Traverse City; and at Nugent Ace Hardware in Benzonia.

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