Bangor Community Chorus ushers in spring with harmonic enthusiasm

Music review

Despite last night’s rain, there was plenty of sunshine in the voices of the Bangor Community Chorus as it performed its annual Concert for Spring at the University College Center in Bangor.

“It’s a good thing to do on a rainy night,” said Joan Kroehler, BCC director, as she welcomed the audience. For more than an hour, the 46-member group proved Kroehler was right.

The concert began with a joyful song, “Sing to the Lord a Marvelous Song,” and the chorus was filled with springlike enthusiasm. The first half of the program continued with other gospel songs, spirituals and blues.

BCC was formerly an all-female chorus, so it wasn’t surprising that much of the concert showcased the female singers. Particularly stirring were the three women’s numbers “Nigra Sum,” “Elijah Rock” and “Mood Indigo.” The blend was well balanced, and the alto backups were satisfyingly rich and deep.

The men’s chorus, consisting of nine singers, skillfully delivered three tunes: “Brothers Sing On,” “Aura Lee,” and a playful, light number “Cindy.”

In the second half of the show, the singers picked up the tempo with patriotic and Broadway tunes. During one number, “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor,” choral member Brenda Brown offered a lovely solo and Chuck Cronin masterfully narrated the poem.

Singing to pre-recorded ensemble music, the group turned out a medley of Broadway tunes. The medley began with “On Broadway” in four-part harmony, a rendition which brought new meaning to the usually jazzy song.

The evening ended with a grand salute to songwriter George M. Cohan, who wrote many classic American songs. The audience was given an unexpected treat when Mac Libbey danced a soft-shoe jig while singing “Harrigan.”

Soloist Clayton Smith got the audience clapping and smiling during his lively version of “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandee.” The salute was brought to a triumphant close when Smith placed the American flag at the front of the concert hall while the group sang “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”