La Crosse's Second Street will soon be saturated by the harmonious melodies of musical talent streaming in from all over the country. The Grand River Singers will be presenting the Fifth Annual Grand River National Show Choir Invitational Friday and Saturday, April 22-23 at the La Crosse Center South Hall.
The GRS is a not-for-profit group that is audition-based and is defined as a singing and dancing ensemble consisting of community members from La Crosse and the surrounding region. Five years ago music director, Tim Rortvedt, and choreographer, Robert Jones, founded the group. "Our purpose is to give back to an Artful Community by supporting downtown, performing to help other not-for-profits raise money, and to give scholarship monies back to school music programs," Rortvedt said. Their real-life glee club has performed at an array of venues including Downtown Historic Days, Riverfest and Oktoberfest. In 2010 Grand River Singers was given the Director's Award in the Oktoberfest Mapleleaf Parade.
The event "will be a great two days of entertainment as we feature 25 top high school concert and show choirs from six states, which include California, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin." These groups will duke it out for their share of $10,000 in scholarships.
Events kick off April 22 at 1 p.m. with the Concert Choir Competition, including local choirs Aquinas, GET, Holmen, Onalaska and a special exhibition performance by Viterbo University Concert Choir. Admission is $5 to this event.
Friday evening is an especially great opportunity to witness the talents of an Emmy winning, Tony nominated, Broadway Star as Grand River Singers presents, "An Evening with Liz Callaway." One would undoubtedly recognize her talents as she was the singing voice of Anastasia, Nala in The Lion King II, and Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and the King of Thieves. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for students with a valid ID.
Saturday's schedule includes the Show Choir Competition that includes performances by local groups from Logan and Onalaska. La Crosse's ambassadors of music and hosts of the event, the Grand River Singers, will also have afternoon and evening exhibition performances. Admission is $15 for the preliminary round during the day, $15 for the evening finals or just $20 to enjoy the whole day.
For more information or tickets please visit www.grandrivershowchoir.com or call Robert Jones at 608-438-1567.
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