| Branford singers say thanks with classic rock and classical benefit concert at Woolsey |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 16 May 2011 20:55 |
 NEW HAVEN — If you were one of the many people who could not get a ticket to see Branford High School’s acclaimed production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” you’re in luck.The 100 Concert Choir members, and additional singers from various school choral groups, and even the middle school, are bringing their talents to Woolsey Hall’s big stage with “Roll Over Beethoven,” May 1, at 2 p.m. — a tribute concert in which they’ll sing classical music and classic rock, from Beethoven’s “Mass in C” to Pat Benatar’s “Heart Breaker” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The United Way of Greater New Haven, as one of the sponsors of the event, is providing 300 tickets (which are $15) through its Boost! Schools program, to be distributed to participating Boost schools in New Haven, so those students can attend the concert free of charge. Cathyann Roding, Branford High’s musical director and choral director, says the concert serves several purposes. First, it’s a way to thank the supporters who contributed money to defray expenses incurred by the Concert Choir when it was forced to stay over eight extra days last year in Verona, Italy, because of the Icelandic volcanic eruption. “I just couldn’t get over the kindness that people showed,” said Roding, who admitted she was still recuperating from the demands of the “Phantom” production, which she and director Toni Cartisano co-produced. “It’s us trying to think what we could do for the town. My idea was to give the students a vehicle to give back to the town so they would be able to do that in their lives, to really understand what it was like to send checks without being asked. That’s the heart of the thing.” It’s also a way for Roding to fulfill her mission to continually challenge her students artistically. They’ll see, she said, interesting tonal similarities between Beethoven and the rock classics. All proceeds from the concert and the CDs ($20; order at the event) of the concert, will be donated to the Basic Needs Program of the Branford Counseling Center, a fund which helps families unable to pay rent, utility bills and basic needs such as clothing for their children. Last year, it paid out more than $90,000 in such requests. After Roding met with Pat Andriole, the counseling center’s director and told her the idea, Andriole appealed to the United Way for help. A committee was formed, co-chaired by Andriole and Robert Babcock of the Branford Education Foundation, to help raise more funding through individual donations. Continued... |
