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Blair Concert Chorale season opens Oct. 26

The Blair Concert Chorale will present its first all-pops concert in several seasons. The 2019-2020 season opener will be “A Night at the Movies,” an evening ranging from standards of movies past to favorite songs from current hits and from international films to Hollywood films.

The show will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the First Lutheran Church, 14th Street and 12th Avenue, Altoona, the location of all concerts this season.

The Chorale, which has more than 45 singers, will perform a program of movie tunes starting with “Tshot-sholoza,” a traditional South African work song featuring djembe (authentic African drum). The first frame will feature “A Welsh Lullaby,” zarzuelas Choral Suite,” “May It Be” and “Dry Your Tears, Afrika.”

Joining the BCC in the tribute to film is the Blair Concert Chorale Children’s Choir. The children, under the direction of Jamie Hillard, will sing “The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns” and “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music.”

The group will sing a ukulele rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” plus songs from “West Side Story,” “Chicago” “Rent,” “Les Miserables,” and other productions. There will also be a set of Oscar winners and movie themes including “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Moon River,” “Hallelujah,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “A Million Dreams.”

The BCC will be under the baton of different directors for each concert while the group searches for a permanent conductor. Lawrence Putorek will lead the choir for the first concert.

The BCC and the BCC Children’s Choir 2019-2020 Season will continue with “A Glorious Holiday Season” on Dec. 14; John Rutter’s “Gloria” as well as a piece composed especially for the Blair Concert Chorale by German composer Christoph Pollak, “Advenias ­ a Christmas Collection.”

In addition to de Victoria’s “Ave Maria,” “A Hymn to the Virgin” by Benjamin Britten, and Alessandro Scarlatti’s “Exsultate Deo,” the audience can participate in a sing-along of traditional Christmas Carols with brass accompaniment. The BCC Children’s Choir, BC4, will present holiday selections.

On April 4, the BCC and guest choir Ivyside Pride under the direction of Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber will participate in “Make a Joyful Noise.”

The BCC, under direction of Lawrence Putorek, will sing favorite compositions submitted by the audience and by choir members. The season will close with an all BCC Children’s Choir concert at 3 p.m. April 26.

General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students, available at Thompson’s Pharmacies (Chestnut Avenue and Hollidaysburg) and at the door.

Tickets for the concert are also available by emailing: manager@blairconcert chorale.org.

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