Great Barrington — “The hills are alive with the sound of music,” sings Maria in the classic American musical that served as the springboard for the recent concert by the Berkshire Concert Choir and Berkshire Children’s Chorus. After a May 17 concert at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield, “The Sounds of Music” came to Saint James Place in Great Barrington. In a rich mezzo-soprano, Chelsea Beatty began Maria’s nostalgic solo about not wanting to leave (“a dream come true,” she said).
Then Ryan José LaBoy, in his first season directing both choirs, turned to the audience to cue them in for the chorus. When the song was over, the children processed in, strumming ukuleles on loan from Magic Fluke in Sheffield, singing a South Korean folk song, followed by a Scottish, and later a Mexican one (“songs they have sung for a thousand years”), followed by a combined singing of “My Favorite Things.” “I was trying to think what sort of music speaks to this community, what sort of music folks love to sing, but also what music could challenge us to think differently about the way we think of art and culture and sound,” said LaBoy.
He thought that everyone would love to sing “The Sound of Music,” and an audience sing-along had never been done by the choirs. “I heard some robust voices out there,” he declared, “so you’re welcome to join us on the stage—not tonight, but another time.” Both groups are open to new singers, no audition required.
LaB.
