By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

Marking its second collaboration with the construction of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center, the Fountain Hills Community Chorus presents “Celestial Selections,” a cosmic-themed concert that celebrates the wonders of the night sky and the beauty of the universe.

Set for 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, the Chorus will perform at the Fountain Hills Community Center, inviting members of the community to enjoy live music under the direction of Matthew Frable.

Celestial selections

The Community Chorus will sing approximately 20 pieces of music that celebrate the beauty and expanse of the universe.

Some selections include “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” arranged by Greg Gilpin; “Corner of the Sky” by Stephen Schwartz from the Broadway musical “Pippin;” “The Rising of the Moon,” an Irish folksong adapted and arranged by Roger Emerson; and “Homeland” by Gustav Holst, a piece of music sung at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer and also played at Princess Diana’s funeral.

“The reason I chose this theme is because of all the dark sky events and the new observatory being built,” Frable said. “The songs are about stars and the moon, planets and space and things you see in the sky.”

The Chorus’ Christmas concert last year was also related to the sky, stars and angels, says Frable, who has been the chrous’ artistic director for 17 years.

The Community Chorus began more than 30 years ago in 1991 by Evelyn Breting as a non-audition chorus. Later, the Chamber Singers were formed as a small group of singers from within the chorus.

Members of the chorus have also performed at events like the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address in Pennsylvania, the anniversary of “The Sound of Music” in Salzburg, Austria, as well as in Hawaii and Ireland alongside other choral groups.

Fountain Hills resident Tina Polich has been singing in the chorus for 25 years. She read about the chorus in the Fountain Hills Times when she first moved here in 1998.

“I liked it immediately. They’re a very friendly group and I’ve enjoyed singing since grade school,” Polich said. “This is an entertaining and uplifting experience.”

Dedicated to the sky and the wonderment of all things celestial, the Community Chorus invites all to join in the celebration.

“It’s going to be a fun concert,” Frable said. “The chorus is really enjoying learning the musics.”

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door. They are available from any chorus member, at Cards of FH, the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce or online at celestial-selections-2025.cheddarup.com.

The Fountain Hills Community Chorus is a member of the Fountain Hills Cultural & Civic Association.

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