The choral ensembles of Cleveland State Community College and the Sassy Brass Tea (formerly the Greater Cleveland Jazz Band) will present a concert Friday at 7 p.m. in the George R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center on the Cleveland State campus.
According to Karen Dale, associate professor of Music, “The concert will feature a variety of music taking us from the cold winter with the "Frozen Medley" by Chamber Choir to the warmth of summer with "Come,Sail Away" by Styx performed by Vocal Rhapsody.”
The band will begin playing at 6:30 p.m. as an Overture, and Vocal Rhapsody will begin the show with a medley of Gershwin songs which include "Strike Up the Band," "I've Got Rhythm" and "Hallelujah." The King's Singer's a cappella arrangement of "The Barber of Seville Overture" will be shared by Vocal Rhapsody. Molly McConnell and Justin Glass will sing "The Prayer," and Vocal Rhapsody will share a cappella songs ranging from the Renaissance piece "If Ye Love Me" to two Pentatonix songs, "Run to You" and "Royals."
The musical journey will continue with an African twist including the Swahili song of welcome, "Jambo Karibu Kwa Afrika", and "Africa" by the 80's group Toto. Two traditional spirituals will include "The Battle of Jericho" (Moses Hogan), and "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel."
"Summer Nights" from the musical Grease will be performed by the chamber choir, and the summertime theme will also continue with "What a Wonderful World" solo by James Smith, "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess sung by Hope Tellifero, "Seasons of Love" from Rent, and Fireflies by Owl City. The summer road trip songs will include "Home," "Shenandoah," "Fly Me to the Moon," "The Boy for New York City" and "In the Still of the Night."
Admission to the concert is free, although donations will be accepted. There will be a reception honoring the choirs immediately following the concert.