Date: 4/24/2015
SPRINGFIELD – This year, eight regional choral groups have been chosen to perform in the Together in Song Regional Choral Awards, to be broadcast live from the WGBY studios in Springfield April 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
The finalists were chosen from the 24 different groups – representing hundreds of singers of all ages – that appeared in the fifth season of WGBY’s Together in Song. A panel of judges scored each group’s performance to determine the best in each of the five categories. Viewers also had the opportunity to vote to determine two additional overall winners to appear in the live choral awards program. This year there are a total of three overall vote getters determined solely by our viewers because of a tie in voting.
The eight groups that will appear in the Together in Song Regional Choral Awards are as follows:
• Elementary/Middle School: Children’s Chorus of Springfield;
• High School: Hall High Choraliers;
• College: The Smith College Smithereens;
• Adult: Non-Classical: The Connotations;
• Adult: Classical: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Choir;
• Voters’ Favorite: Mt. Greylock Regional High School Choir;
• Voters’ Favorite: Spectrum A Cappella;
• Voters’ Favorite: The Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Select Choir.
Joining series host Kevin Rhodes, conductor and director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, as co-hosts for the special live awards broadcast will be Russell Peotter, general manager of WGBY, and “red carpet” presenter, Carolee McGrath correspondent on WGBY’s Connecting Point Series.
Judges for the Live Regional Choral Awards include composer and pianist Clifton “Jerry” Noble Jr., music director of The Hartford Chorale Richard Coffey, and founder of The Proficient Musician (now part of Jane Hanson Productions) Jane Hanson. The judge’s scores, along with votes tallied live from the viewers, will determine this year’s top performer.
That group will receive the prize of a 30-minute special, produced by WGBY-TV and airing on the public television station.
As in past seasons, the live broadcast concludes with a special performance that includes members from the season’s 24 choral groups. The show will be spectacular showcase of our region’s best choral talent.
In addition to being broadcasted live on WGBY, the show will also be streamed live over the Internet. Viewers are encouraged to visit the Together in Song website at www.wgby.org/togetherinsong where the entire season can be viewed online. Performances are all being streamed on YouTube allowing them to easily be shared and enjoyed by viewers around the world.
Support for Together in Song is provided in part by MassMutual.