Choral Society to sing Sunday

Blooming Grove-The Classic Choral Society will lend its famed vocal precision to songs by America's premier composers of popular music. Cole Porter and George and Ira Gershwin describe what it meant to be American in the early years of the last century. With the release of the film "Delovely," interest has resurged in Porter's music. It is complex and passionate, sedate and swinging, and filled with the musical intricacies and an intensely personal voice that have made many of his songs instantly recognizable. The composing team of George and Ira Gershwin produced songs that were quintessentially American, from their patriotic anthems to freedom and independence, to their operatic presentation of the African-American experience in "Porgy and Bess," to their enthusiastic love of life presented in their music for the Broadway stage. The 80-voice Classic Choral Society is made up of local singers and musicians. Janiece Kohler of Monroe is the conductor and also serves as the Society's artistic director. The program will be performed at two Orange County locations. The first is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, at the historic United Church of Christ, located on Rt. 94 on Old Dominion Rd. in Blooming Grove. An encore performance will be presented at the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 142 Stage Rd. in Monroe at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. As is customary for all Classic Choral concerts, there is no admission, but a free will offering will be collected. For more information, visit www.classicchoralsociety.org or call 928-6462.