Steph Mattie
Spring is here, and the SaddleBrooke Singers have been rehearsing since early January to prepare for our upcoming concert. The April 6 and 8 presentations of Everything’s Coming Up Broadway will be a spectacular trip down memory lane with many beloved Broadway selections. Not only will some of your favorite medleys be performed in full voice by the Singers, but you will be treated to some delightful quartets, duets and solos. There are moving renditions from Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and Les Miserables which will tug at your heartstrings and evoke a wide range of emotions.
But those of you who attended last year’s spring and winter concerts know that we like to add plenty of upbeat musical elements to our shows to keep the audience smiling and tapping their feet. Well, this year you’re in store for rousing numbers from Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and Seventy-Six Trombones. I know how much fun we have at rehearsals as we see these pieces come together, and I’m sure the audience won’t be disappointed.
In my previous articles I mentioned the hard work and preparation that goes into our shows. Well, let me add that it is our director that is at the core of our concerts’ success. Tanya Elias-Graf has been leading the SaddleBrooke Singers since the spring of 2016. Her background of vocal performance in opera and musical theatre, as well as her various music degrees, gives her the perfect expertise to get our group “show ready.” And if you’ve been lucky enough to hear Tanya’s beautiful voice at one of our shows, you’ll know what a talent she truly is. And where would the SaddleBrooke Singers be without the amazing accompaniment of our two pianists, Janie Grinstead and Carole Whitney. From show to show and at all of our rehearsals they seamlessly flow between scores. When you hear them play the intricate Broadway music for this show, you’ll know what I mean. We are so fortunate to have these talented musicians in our group.
We would also like to thank our sponsors whose contributions help promote local talent right here in SaddleBrooke. We couldn’t do what we do without your backing and support. With a variety of sponsorship opportunities, it’s not too late to join our list of donors. Contact any member of SaddleBrooke Singers for more information. Now, I hope you have marked your calendar to attend one of the performances on April 6 and 8 at the DesertView Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 and are currently on sale online or at the SaddleBrooke TWO office. The SaddleBrooke Singers Organization is comprised of SaddleBrooke residents and has been presenting programs to the community for almost 25 years. For more information about the SB Singers, please contact Jay Hansen at 520-271-8542.