North East Texas Choral Society
Delivers Another Quality and
Entertaining Performance
by: Bobby McDonald
It was braving the storms and a deludge of rainfall for North East Texas Choral Society patrons, on Saturday night, but all the inconvenience was worth it, as everyone has grown to expect, another outstanding performance was delivered. "You never know what to expect from these folks!" exclaimed Director Carol Allen, as she introduced the show and found her singers dressed in blue jeans, tie-dyed shirts, and almost anything from the 70's. Of course, the music from the show highlighted the height of the Rock'n Roll Era and featured tributes to Abba and Queen, as well as other period music.
The show began with a rendition of "Proud Mary," featuring Marlon Chisum as soloist and quickly moved into "Come Rain or Come Shine" featuring Justin Miller as a soloist.
Marlon Chisom, looked the part, as he delivered his rendition of "Proud Mary."
And, Justin Miller was featured in "Come Rain or Come Shine," as storm clouds dumped rain
on Hopkins County, outside the Civic Center.
Two new "voices" for the choral society, Jeff Coleman and Waylon Jordan, then stepped to the mike and belted out a memorable performance of Billy Joel's "Piano Man," as the chorus hummed the music, in the background.
The Tenor voices of Jeff Coleman and Waylon Jordan lent a memorable style to
Billy Joel's "Piano Man."
Songs from the movie Jersey Boys was the next presentation and featured Dr. Chuck Jones as a soloist. And, Carl Perkins' "Daddy Sang Bass" was featured as each of the parts lent their own touch, "Daddy sang bass, Mama sang tenor, and me and little brother joined in the song......."
"Mamma Mia!" was the next featured selection and featured soloists, Lepha Luttral, Jason Frazier, Linda Riddle, Brooke Howard and Gina Snyder.
Two former Dairy Festival Queens, Lydia Walden and Kim Baxter, were featured as soloists on the next two numbers. Lydia delivered a quality performance of Irving Berlin's "Always" and Kim brought "chills up the spine" as she worked into Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You!"
"A Tribute to Queen" was the next selection, featured the songs that the group made popular, in the 1970's.
"We Are The Champions" played
tribute to the Wildcat Football Team!!!
Allen introduced "Nothin' Gonna Stumble My Feet," as "the new choral society spiritual," and encouraged the audience to "stand up" for religion, patriotism, and what they believed in, during the troubled times of our nation.
However, one of the more memorable elements of the entire show was when three young vocalists, Colton Frazier, Marlon Chisom, and Caleb Frazier, made their way to the mikes for a rendition of "Amazing Grace." The trio delivered a "soulful rendition" and were accompanied by Bob Richards, on the bagpipes, as the sound entered your heart and touched your soul.
And, all too soon, the show was over.....ending with the classic North East Texas Choral Society Benediction, where all former members from the audience were invited to make their way to the stage and join the throng in the final number.
"We had to wade water coming in and sounded like the thunder and lightning were intense, throughout the performance, but the real 'storm' was within your heart," exclaimed one patron, as they left the Civic Center Auditorium, looking at the skies! "This was truly an uplifting and memorable performance!"
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