Several local people will have the chance to perform with country legend Kenny Rogers at his Christmas show at the Mohican North Star Casino on Dec. 4.
After The Shawano Leader published a story about the Community Hymn Sing at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Steve Glassman, musical director for the Rogers tour, contacted Susan Kurek, Sacred Heart’s director of music
Glassman was looking for a local choir to sing with Rogers and asked Kurek if she would be willing to do it.
“I had goosebumps for about four hours,” said Kurek, who has long been a fan of Rogers. “I am more than excited. It’s absolutely fantastic.”
She asked Pastor Luke Ferris if it would be OK.
“He thought it was wonderful,” Kurek said.
Kurek, who already had a good base of singers from the community sing, set up auditions.
“We found lots of wonderful singers,” she said.
So many people showed up that Kurek said she might have to make some cuts because of the small stage at the casino. She said making any cuts would be difficult because people have been coming faithfully to practices and working hard.
The group will sing four songs with Rogers: “Joy to the World,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “O Holy Night” and “The Light.”
“Everyone has their own arrangement,” Kurek said. “Harmonies are very close, very high and very low. There’s quite a range that people need to cover.”
They also will sing one song a cappella, “The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy.” The choir will be provided with robes and have scheduled a rehearsal just before the show, which is sold out.
Kurek was also asked to audition children from 6 to 10 years old, picking five to sing with Rogers for a special segment with children. She said the students, who mostly didn’t know anything about Rogers, have been learning about him.
“It’s pretty funny to walk around the school and listen to kids singing ‘The Gambler,’” Kurek said.
Categories
