Sing-a-Long
Beach Concert May 31st
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Music lovers are in for a treat when the Long Beach Youth Chorus performs its spring Sing-a-Long Beach concert on May 31st. Established in 2017 when Executive Director Stan DeWitt saw the need for a community youth chorus in the beach city, the Chorus has grown and thrived to become an integral part of the Long Beach music scene.
With three
choirs (a Master Singers, Young Musicians Program, and
after-school chorus) under the artistic leadership of Harlee Balajadia,
the Chorus puts on two season concerts a year, performs with music partners,
and at events including The Long Beach Chorale, Long Beach Symphony, Mayor's
tree-lighting ceremony, and more.
DeWitt,
Minister of Music at Grace First Presbyterian Church, is a strong believer in
the power of music to bring people together and thought that a city as big as
Long Beach needed a music program for young people. To educate and nurture
young talent and provide entertainment for the community.
The Chorus got off to a good start with children of all ages having the opportunity to develop their music skills and audiences giving them a tremendous response.
Even when Covid
created challenges the Chorus found a way to pivot and continue with a 2020-21
season that was online and virtual. Like the Chorus, De Witt pivoted during the
pandemic, too, hosting front yard concerts for his neighbors with his wife Lynda.
This spring's LBYC concert, a free event at the Long Beach Recreation Park bandshell, is themed "Rock Anthems" and is sure to rock the rafters with songs from "We Will Rock You" and "Living on a Prayer" to the classic Aretha Franklin rocker "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."
Attendees will get music sheets so everyone can join in. With food trucks and sponsor booths out in force, Sing-a-Long Beach is sure to generate a wave of good vibes!
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the
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