Big Rock Singers
The Big Rock Singers are marking a milestone with a pair of upcoming concerts.
They'll be celebrating their "Music of the Night," a 35th anniversary show at the Viking Rentals Centre on May 9 and 10.
"It's a truly special milestone. To be an organization serving this community for 35 years, that's pretty awesome," said musical and artistic director, Carey Gruber.
Gruber has been with the Big Rock Singers for 20 years and recalls how she first joined the group.
"My youth choir, back in the day, served as guests of the Big Rock Singers at the Christmas concert when founding director Lynda McLennan retired. At the end of that concert, the board president asked if I would step into Lynda's shoes, and here we are, 20 years later."
The gala event will begin with a cocktail hour followed by two shows, explained Gruber.
"The first act sees music from, believe it or not, Mozart's requiem. We'll be singing in Latin. We are singing Nessun dorma, made famous by Luciano Pavarotti. We have live musicians, Eileen Kosasih is with us with her string quintet and we have the gorgeous Lauren Woods singing along with them."
The night will also feature a Phantom of the Opera Medley.
For anyone hoping to be a part of the group's next 35 years and beyond, Gruber says there's always room for more.
"We warmly welcome members twice a year. Before our fall season, which starts in September, or before our spring season, which starts in January. People can head to the website or follow us on social media for details. We're a community choir family. We have members from their 20s to their 80s. We welcome everyone, regardless of music experience, because I believe, personally, that everyone can sing. If that is a part of what makes your life better, and meeting new people that become lifelong friends, then your place is in our choir family."
Tickets to the anniversary gala are available on the Big Rock Singers website.