“MacDowell Male Chorus: Diamond Jubilee ”

April 18, 2009
Presented by the Headwaters Council for the
Performing Arts
Vilas County News Review
By Barbara W. Wilkinson

The Headwater’s Council for the Performing Arts’ audience had the privilege of hearing the talented MacDowell Male Chorus from Appleton, Wisconsin, present its Seventy-Fifth anniversary year concert.  By popular demand, the choral group returned to Eagle River on Saturday, April 18, to perform its sixth year in a row at Northland Pines High School Auditorium.  The choir, which consists of men of all ages and backgrounds, staged its first concert in 1935, during the depths of the Great Depression. It has been a strong community arts contender ever since as it vows to sustain the tradition of those who came before: “We sing to celebrate, to inspire and to share our joy. . .”

Indeed, once more the celebrated choir did inspire its audience.  Opening with a harmonious rendition of Say It With Music, the performers immediately confirmed their long tradition of emanating fine articulation and feeling.  They followed with skillful baritone and tenor solos that both soothed the soul and mended the heart with the program title song Why We Sing.  Under the capable direction of Allan Leicht and the talented accompaniment of Jon Riehle, the chorus then led the listeners down memory lane with a tribute to Rogers and Hammerstein. 

The audience was in for a treat as the chorale shifted gears to “Songs of Praise” with an a moving a cappella adaptation of Precious Lord Take My Hand and a toe-tapping “Spiritual Jubilee” that included a lively rendition of Down by the Riverside.  With yet another shift, the choir demonstrated its versatility by singing religious songs that were from the heart, ending with a majestic version of God of Our Fathers.

The beginning of the next segment was an upbeat tribute to the works of Billy Joel, including both Longest Time and Uptown Girl.  Intended especially for the younger crowd who enjoyed it immensely, these spirited numbers led the audience into a “Just For Fun” section that focused on children of all ages.  With an entertaining version of This Old Man, sung in ten variations, the chorus continued delighting the audience with a hilarious version of The Musicians that included piccolo, trombone, trumpet and tuba.

Finally, with a section entitled “We Are Family,” the performance came full circle, culminating with another moving version of the program title song Why We Sing.  It was a fitting conclusion to an enjoyable evening.  Without doubt, the audience delighted in welcoming back its old friends.