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Blooming Grove - Like the Fred Waring choral
arrangements of the past, those of Mac Huff boast a unique
style. These were on display in a concert by the Classic
Choral Society at the United Church of Christ in Blooming
Grove on Sunday afternoon.
The concert will be repeated at 7 p.m. Saturday at the
First Presbyterian Church of Monroe.
In the opening part of the program, the words and music
of Cole Porter were featured in "Classic Cole Porter." Music
by George Gershwin and lyrics mostly by Gershwin's
brother Ira brought up the second half with "A Gershwin
Portrait." Directing the 78-voice mixed choir and a 10-piece
orchestra in more than four dozen memorable songs was
Janiece Kohler.
What separates Mac Huff's distinctive creations from
traditional stylings is the manner in which he integrates the
several songs of a set into a continuous interplay. Thus, in
the opening set of Cole Porter songs, the presentation of
"Another Op'nin', Another Show," "From This Moment On"
and "Just One of Those Things" went beyond medley to a
melding of all three with alternating sections of each. This
formula of seamless transitions was used throughout the
five sets of Porter and the six of Gershwin, with no song
delivered in its entirety.
Also, the singing in each number from ballad to the noble
"Rhapsody in Blue" was clothed in a variety of instrumental
colors. While "I've Got You Under My Skin" with vocal solo
by Andrew Signorelli was introduced by a sweet-sounding
trumpet solo by Al Reese, drummer Al Konikowski kicked
off the Gershwin section with a thunderous drum roll in
"Strike Up the Band."
In her solo on Porter's "In the Still of the Night," vocalist
Susan Marino not only displayed warm feelings, but she
also added emphasis to her delivery with a sustained
sounding of "night." Jim Zgoda was playful in "Let's
Misbehave," while Jen Lombardo and Betsy Pozo shared
bubbly feeings in "Friendship."
In the Gershwin half, Steve Hines with firm and clear
voice intoned "It Ain't Necessarily So." Carol Bushell
plaintively sang "My Man's Gone Now" while, in contrast,
Ruth Ann Robinson glowed with her delivery of "The Man I
Love." In "Swanee" (lyrics by Irving Caesar), Bob Pollsen
captured the robusteness of Gershwin's tribute to a river.
Notwithstanding the solos, it was the richness of tone
and exuberance of spirit that marked the tutti chorale,
expressively directed by Kohler. Among the ensemble's
standout numbers by Porter were a jazzy "Too Darn Hot," a
delicate "True Love" and a spunky "Be a Clown."
Gershwin was well-represented by a counterpointing
"Clap Yo' Hands" and "I Got Rhythm," a glowing
"Summertime" and the exciting "Strike Up the Band,"
which brought the concert to a rousing finale.
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