You know those songs we all sing in the shower and in the car?
A new adult choir led by Grace McCune is providing a chance for Orcas Islanders to belt out the pop classics that are generally reserved for karaoke.
“We’ll sing a big Beatles medley, an Abba tune … songs that you just love to sing but most choirs don’t do,” McCune said.
McCune, who is a piano player, singer, and actress, will be leading two eight-week choir courses at Orcas Center – one for adults and one for kids. Ron Myers is the piano accompanist. Both groups begin on Oct. 20 and will be held on Tuesdays. The children meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and adults practice from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The idea for an adult choir came after Orcas Center’s Beatles-themed fundraiser, which included a Beatles cover band. McCune was called in to direct the choir, and she couldn’t be more thrilled.
“I am really psyched that the center is incorporating this into their conservatory,” she said.
McCune is putting together a band to accompany the choir, which will perform in mid-December in the Madrona Room.
“It will be a casual night of music,” McCune said. “We’ll have a big potluck. It will be a trial run. If we get a good response from people then the choir will just grow and evolve naturally.”
The group is open to men and women, ages 16 and older. Tuition is $50.
This is McCune’s second time at the helm of a children’s choir. She directed kids last spring, who sang “Get a Load of Toad” at Orcas Rec’s “Whale of a Show.”
“A whole set was built for the number. The kids sang and danced. It was so much fun and went over so well with the kids that we decided to do it year-round, except for the summer,” McCune said.
This fall the kids will learn holiday music and sing carols around town, at the senior center, and at the holiday festival. They will also perform a number during Orcas Center’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” Jim Bredouw is writing a song specifically for the kids.
Tuition is $100 for the course.
Directing choirs is a new endeavor for McCune, who says she “learned how to read music before learning how to read books.” Her mom was a band director, and McCune was involved with orchestra, band, and drama in school. In addition to performing with her group Twirl, McCune teaches private singing lessons from her home on Orcas.
“In high school I dreamed of being a choir leader,” she said. “But I decided my love of performing was stronger. So that was the choice I made. But last spring I found that I had a knack for not only working with kids but also directing.”
To sign up
Pre-registration is not required. Come to Orcas Center on Oct. 20 and sign up before class begins. For more information, email Grace McCune at gracemccune@hotmail.com.
