SPRING CONCERTS MOVED TO APRIL 13-14

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Because of unforeseen circumstances, it has become necessary to change the dates of our spring concerts to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14. The concerts will remain at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center.

If these new dates work for you, your tickets will be good at the door and the seats you chose will still be your seats.

If you would prefer a refund back to your credit card, please contact our ticket manager, Barbara Kerner, at blk_az@cox.net and let her know the following:

NAME USED FOR PURCHASE / PERFORMANCE DATE /NUMBER OF TICKETS TO REFUND

We hope you can still attend but understand this unexpected date change may not work for you. If you want to change to the other show option, you must request a refund and then purchase the new ticket(s). We apologize for this and thank you for your understanding.

***

Audiences know that an Upscale Singers concert is truly a show. But now the show is larger and more spectacular than ever.

More singers (44 this spring, most in the group’s history) and a larger venue (Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center) combined for big crowds and major praise in December, and the April 13-14 gatherings for “Stage, Screen and Bandstand!” promise to be just as well-attended and well-received.

“This will be our first spring concert at the wonderful Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. Our Christmas concerts were such a success there, and we will be once again able to use the large stage to spread out and have set decorations and special lighting. It will be quite theatrical,” director Margaret Watson said.

“Audience members said they love seeing us in a large theater. Other venues have been nicely intimate, but this is so professional. They love the great lighting and the sound.”

Tickets, which will be available soon on this website, are $35 for adults and $15 for age 18 and under for the shows at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. The silent auction and raffle, supporting Upscale Singers’ many outreach programs, begin one hour before showtime on both days.

Concertgoers are urged to buy their tickets early: It is reserved seating, so those who have their favorite seats should purchase early. The spring concert has nearly sold out or sold out completely each of the last two years, and the spirited nature of the performances figures to be a huge attraction again.

“This show is full of music that people are going to love,” Watson said. “‘Oklahoma!’ and ‘West Side Story’ are real favorites with audience members, and the movie theme songs and ’60s hits will bring back fond memories. The arrangements are both beautiful and entertaining, and there will be something for everyone.”

For example, the music of “Oklahoma!” will feature the beautiful harmonies of “People Will Say We’re in Love” and “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” and fun songs, such as “I Can’t Say No” and “Kansas City.”

The “West Side Story” selections include what Watson considers some of the most beautiful music in the show: “‘Tonight’ and ‘Maria’ are arguably two of the Leonard Bernstein’s greatest creations, and the choir sounds fabulous singing them. Of course, the lively ‘America’ will be a delight.”

The movie tunes include several classics, such as “Moon River,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The music of the ’60s, which resonates for everyone from Baby Boomers to younger people who have discovered how fun that music is, will feature a fun, fast-paced medley full of top-40 hits, such as “Teenager in Love,” “Hit the Road, Jack,” “Let’s Twist Again,” “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” and “All You Need is Love.”

The Upscale Kids will be back again, this time with an audience member-turned-singer who was so enthralled by the Christmas concert she just had to join the fun. The group will perform Broadway hits, including “When I Get My Name in Lights” from “The Boy from Oz,” “Do-Re-Mi” from the “Sound of Music” and “Consider Yourself” from “Oliver.” Two of the 2023 scholarship winners also will perform Broadway hits.

***

The large audiences found many reasons to celebrate “Upscale Singers Holiday Celebration.”

Scottsdale’s premier adult choir took advantage of the bigger stage at its new venue – Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St., Scottsdale – to present a new-look event that wowed more than 700 attendees spread across two concerts. The comments afterward were overwhelmingly positive:

"It was outstanding," one audience member wrote in an email. "From the first moment you entered the stage all colorful and happy, it was just fun. The choir sounded great. The solos, small groups and instrumentals were excellent. The kids (which included the Upscale Kids and Cheryl Siebs Memorial Scholarship finalists Annalyn Abraham and Kaitlyn Baird) knocked it out of the park. My friend with me had never seen an Upscale performance and was amazed at such quality from a local group."

“Today’s Upscale Singers performance was amazing. The diversity of songs, chorus and individual adult and kid performances was incredible. What a fabulous combination. Kudos to the entire cast and director.”

“Fabulous performance, great new facility. Not to be missed.”

“The holiday performance was wonderful! The auditorium was full, and we all enjoyed each number. I am amazed at the support of local talented kids!”

“The performance was extraordinary! My daughter loved it, too!”

“I wanted to say thanks to the Upscale Singers for being part of a fun afternoon ringing in – or should I say singing in – the holiday season. As always, a great show!”

“The performance was outstanding!! We attend every year, and this may be the best one yet. Congratulations!!”
“We really enjoyed the show! You must have been gratified at the huge applause and standing ovation! Very well deserved!”

“It was the best show yet! From my 14-year-old grandson.”

“What a wonderful, entertaining program. The Upscale Singers are uplifting! We really enjoyed it. Great talent and a very creative, stimulating program. We'll be coming to all your future shows.”

The new venue played an important role.

“It’s a beautiful theater,” director Margaret Watson said. “The stage gives us room to spread out and add scenery and lighting. The audience will love the comfortable, raked seating that slopes upward away from the stage, maximizing the view for everyone.

“The program will be more of a stage show than a stand still concert. With bright new costumes, fun staging and Christmas trees galore, the audience will get an eyeful as well as a wonderful earful of beautiful holiday music.”

The music featured a variety of holiday favorites, such as “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Merry Christmas, Darling,” plus new arrangements of carols, such as “The First Noel” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

Another addition was “Night of Silence,” which Watson called “a gorgeous descant to ‘Silent Night’ that stands beautifully on its own.”

She added, “There also will be a lively rendition of ‘Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow’ and a fun arrangement of ‘White Christmas’ as performed by the Drifters. Old favorites ‘Where Are You, Christmas?’, ‘Mr. Santa’ and ‘Man with the Bag’ will add a lively pace to the show.”

Another new feature: A member of the Upscale Kids, Jacob Pfefferkorn, joined accompanist Bill Moore on the piano for a duet of “God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen.” Oboist Franck Avril also was featured.

The stage also had a new look, with elaborate decorations and lighting. Another benefit of the new venue is that it can accommodate more singers. The group is larger than ever, giving the choir an amazing sound.

“With so many new people moving to the Valley, singers are looking for a fun place to perform and use their talents, and we have definitely benefited from the influx of talent,” Watson said. “We have several retired professional singers in the group. It is so fun!”

Watch the website for dates of the spring concerts in April, when we again will perform at Cactus Shadows.

***

To see photos from our concerts, click on the Gallery tab at the top of this page. All concert photos by Linda Kazares.

****
Help us support young vocalists! Please mail donations to Upscale Singers, P.O. Box 86, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.