The Peninsula Singers, a community chorus with a mission to enrich, enlighten and entertain, presents its spring concert, “Come Fly With Me” on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hervey Family/Point Loma Library
Community Room.
The one-hour musical treat is offered to the community free of charge, with a varied program of musical selections including the title song, “Come Fly with Me;” selections from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Les Miserables;” “You Raise Me Up;” “Battle Hymn of the Republic;” “Armed Forces Salute;” and “Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus.”
The Peninsula Singers, founded in 2004 by Judy Eby, began due to the lack of a choir at Point Loma High School (PLHS).
“That was the inspiration,” said the Singers’ artistic director Sarah Suhonen. “We started with about 20 or so members, and we now have more than 70.”
Suhonen added that the group has also grown in age range, with members as young as 13, up to octogenarian Philip Green, who happens to be a veteran of the Great White Way “” better known as the Broadway stage.
Suhonen joined the group after graduating with a major in music from Azusa Pacific University, and ultimately became director. She also started a choir at PLHS, now in the capable hands of the school’s music/band director John Dally, who also performs in Wednesday’s concert.
Ocean Beach Main Street Director Denny Knox got involved early on thanks to Eby, who contacted her in an effort to interest local non-profit community organizations in sponsoring the group. Eventually, the Peninsula Singers settled under the umbrella of the Ocean Beach Community Foundation. Funding also comes from member dues and several grants.
Knox, having spent time working with Eby, thought, “Gee, I’d like to sing,” quickly became a member, and appears as part of a quartet in the June 7 performance.
“We have a blast,” Knox emphasized. “It’s too much fun.”
Both Suhonen and Knox agree that audiences enjoy the chorus’ balanced repertoire as it offers an entertaining variety of musical styles and moods “” in other words, there’s something for everyone.
The chorus has performed at several community venues such as the U.S.S. Midway, the Point Loma Village Cultural Faire, Southwestern Yacht Club; Point Loma High School, the Point Loma, Mission Valley and City Heights Libraries and December Nights in Balboa Park.
Suhonen said that the group attempts to offer a community concert, such as “Come Fly With Me,” each season in an effort to provide a community-based arts environment.
“Anyone can come and join, or just visit (a rehearsal),” she added. The chorus is also available to sing at other events.
The Hervey Family/Point Loma Library is located at 3701 Voltaire St.? For more information, call 619-226-3240, or e-mail [email protected].