HOA, KCC celebrate holiday silver anniversary with a Zing!
| Type of post: | Chorus news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | John Braden |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Mon, Dec 18 2023 |
The 25th annual Holiday Harmony Spectacular on Dec. 2, 2023, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines and the 85th anniversary of the Heart of America Chorus with audiences of friends and family.
The combined choruses, headliner 2010 Sweet Adelines International Champion Zing!, a children's chorus and eight chapter quartets entertained a full house at 1 p.m. and a respectable-sized crowd at 5 p.m. at City House in Independence.
In a script by Kimi Ruder, the combined choruses reprised favorite songs and gags from many holiday shows past. The first half featured the joint choruses in holiday garb singing favorites including two from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer -- "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Silver and Gold," which featured soloist Mark Fortino.
The second half led off with Zing!, the 2010 Sweet Adeline quartet champion, featuring Kansas City Chorus Director Michelle Hunget on tenor, plus lead Susan Ives of Topeka Acappella Unlimited Chorus, baritone Mary Rhea of OK City Chorus, and bass Melynnie Williams of Wichita Chorus. The champs were followed by a Children's Chorus leading off the combined choruses' finale in full formal dress. The show ended with the traditional "Joy to the World," "Silent Night/Angels from Heaven" and "O Holy Night."
Sprinkled throughout the program were performances by HOA quartets Homeward Bound, Swing Shift and KC Common and Kansas City Chorus quartets 4's Company, Lucky Day, EarBuds, Sensation and Sassaphras.
HOA President Mike Schumacher thanked musical directors Michelle Hunget and Carter Combs for their planning and encouragement.
"And thank you to the entire HHS Committee, headed by Carol Schumacher and Barry Sanders, who worked endless hours leading to a show that has received overwhelming appreciation from all the people I had at the show (and I know everyone else has received the same feedback)," Schumacher said.
"I'd say the whole day was purdy durn great!" Combs said. "Everyone pulled together and presented a spectacular 25th anniversary show! I am so grateful for all the efforts, large and small, that went into it."
The front of the City House stage was piled with toys, which were collected for Toys for Tots by two
front-row Marines at the evening performance -- an annual tradition of the holiday show.
The evening wrapped up with an Afterglow at nearby Apex Aleworks, where the players got to eat and drink and hear as many quartets as were willing.
Photos by Walt Snyder.
The combined choruses, headliner 2010 Sweet Adelines International Champion Zing!, a children's chorus and eight chapter quartets entertained a full house at 1 p.m. and a respectable-sized crowd at 5 p.m. at City House in Independence.
In a script by Kimi Ruder, the combined choruses reprised favorite songs and gags from many holiday shows past. The first half featured the joint choruses in holiday garb singing favorites including two from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer -- "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Silver and Gold," which featured soloist Mark Fortino.
The second half led off with Zing!, the 2010 Sweet Adeline quartet champion, featuring Kansas City Chorus Director Michelle Hunget on tenor, plus lead Susan Ives of Topeka Acappella Unlimited Chorus, baritone Mary Rhea of OK City Chorus, and bass Melynnie Williams of Wichita Chorus. The champs were followed by a Children's Chorus leading off the combined choruses' finale in full formal dress. The show ended with the traditional "Joy to the World," "Silent Night/Angels from Heaven" and "O Holy Night."Sprinkled throughout the program were performances by HOA quartets Homeward Bound, Swing Shift and KC Common and Kansas City Chorus quartets 4's Company, Lucky Day, EarBuds, Sensation and Sassaphras.
HOA President Mike Schumacher thanked musical directors Michelle Hunget and Carter Combs for their planning and encouragement."And thank you to the entire HHS Committee, headed by Carol Schumacher and Barry Sanders, who worked endless hours leading to a show that has received overwhelming appreciation from all the people I had at the show (and I know everyone else has received the same feedback)," Schumacher said.
"I'd say the whole day was purdy durn great!" Combs said. "Everyone pulled together and presented a spectacular 25th anniversary show! I am so grateful for all the efforts, large and small, that went into it."The front of the City House stage was piled with toys, which were collected for Toys for Tots by two
front-row Marines at the evening performance -- an annual tradition of the holiday show.The evening wrapped up with an Afterglow at nearby Apex Aleworks, where the players got to eat and drink and hear as many quartets as were willing.
Photos by Walt Snyder.
