Vancouver’s Touch of Class Chorale was excited about celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of concerts in spring 2020.
That never happened, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50-member community choir only reunited for rehearsals in fall 2022. So the group is even more excited to launch a series of “50th-plus-three” anniversary concerts this weekend.
“The concert theme, ‘I Am in Need of Music,’ feels more apt and urgent than ever,” said singer Rebecca Schlessinger. “There’s a bit of something for everyone.”
Styles in the program include classical, (Schubert, Mozart); contemporary (Eric Whitacre); Broadway (Andrew Lloyd Webber); and traditional folk songs and spirituals like “How Can I Keep from Singing.” The musical director is Allison King and the accompanist is Karen Dale.
Touch of Class started under the unlikely name “The Peruvian Singers,” because it was formed by alumni singers from Battle Ground schools who clamored to keep singing with their beloved choir director, Orrell Peru. The group renamed itself Touch of Class in 1978.
Chorale member Laura Ross was a Peru student in Battle Ground who went on to join Touch of Class in 1990. Her mother was a choir member and now her daughter is too.
“Music has always been an important part of our family,” Ross said, “and some of my fondest musical memories have been with this community of singers who all share a love of making beautiful music together.”
Touch of Class is a nonprofit organization that always shares half of its concert revenue with the local charity of the venue’s choice. Here are upcoming concert details and beneficiaries. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for children 6-16, free for age 5 and under.
