The Big Island Singers is inviting the public to its debut concert series, “Love Songs in Spring” during the last weekend of April.
BIS is a newly formed, 33-member group of experienced singers who love performing choral music.
The choir was started by Doug Albertson, who made Hilo his home in 2018 after retiring from a career in music education and community arts programs.
Jeri Gertz sings alto in the choir and is helping Albertson get the word out about the choir after her experience running Harmony on Tap for 10 years. She will be serving as the emcee for the upcoming concerts.
“It’s been wonderful to gather together with all of these people, who haven’t been able to sing since COVID,” Gertz said. “It’s nice to get to know one another through choir once a week. People do a lot of work on their own, and there are some top-shelf voices.”
BIS will perform its first shows in “Love Songs in Spring” during the last weekend of April. The concerts are free.
“Spring is a time of hope and renewal. We put together a program of seasonally-inspired music, from madrigals to modern,” Albertson said.
BIS will perform more traditional choral songs along with modern music by artists like Elvis.
Educator and composer Michael Springer will accompany the choir on piano. St. Joseph High School faculty member Mark Caudill will be the group’s special guest, playing solo violin.
“We’re all really excited to perform and have a good time with the audience,” Gertz said. “If anyone is interested auditioning for the chorus after the first performance, we believe in the more voices the merrier and welcome anyone to try out. We’re very excited to see where the choir goes.”
The concerts are an hour long, and there will be one evening concert and two matinees.
For more information, contact Albertson at doug_albe@charter.net.
BIS will perform at the Hilo United Community Church at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28, the Hilo United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, and Hilo Daijingu at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 30.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.