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Grand Night For Singing Goes Virtual, Focuses on Community and Connection

Sep 2, 2020 | Choirs, News, Performance, Students

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance is set to present an amazing evening of musical theatre, choral music, and solo voice performances during the annual Grand Night for Singing concert on October 29 at 8 p.m. Watch on YouTube!

Grand Night for Singing will focus on the themes of community and connection, with repertoire including traditional songs that speak to our need for communal singing such as “I Was Glad” by Sir Charles Hubert Parry and “How Can I Keep from Singing” arranged by Karen Thomas. It will also feature new social justice songs such as Alysia Lee’s Say Her Nameand Melanie Demore’s “Lead with Love.” This music seeks to raise awareness about police brutality and anti-racism in the United States, and all four pieces will be presented as new virtual choir pieces.

“As we have all been faced with the challenges of COVID-19 over the last few months, I have been thinking, ‘how can we keep from singing”’ said Prof. Eugene Rogers, director of choral activities. “I knew that Grand Night for Singing was more important than ever because we need to remind ourselves that in spite of the challenges facing our world today, we must keep singing and focus on the connection we have as a choral community right here in Ann Arbor. You won’t want to miss this very special virtual evening as we lock arms with our community partners and celebrate the power of vocal music together.”

This year’s Grand Night for Singing program will be the largest in the concert’s history. Nine of U-M’s choral ensembles will participate including singers in SMTD’s Michigan Youth Chamber Ensemble and the University Musical Society Choral Union. The event will be held virtually via livestream on SMTD’s Facebook and YouTube and will include live commentary with Grand Night performers.

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