Those who enjoy listening to music of Hollywood fame will get a chance at the Lake Washington Singers second concert of their “Starlight, Starbright” program in May.
The concert, put on by the 32-member group, will features music from performing artists, composers and patrons who have earned stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, including Louis Armstrong, Rogers and Hammerstein, Walt Disney, Billy Joel, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tickets will be available for purchase in April.
It’s the third year the group has put on the dinner concert, which will include a dessert auction as well. Singer Diane Underwood, who has been with group for 33 years, said that they added a second concert due to its immense popularity.
“We couldn’t accommodate everyone,” she said.
First formed in 1952 and known as the Lake Washington Choral Society, President Julie Ditter attributed the group’s longevity over the decades, as the region has undergone enormous changes, to the variety of music, its sociability and close friendships. Although the size fluctuates, she said it continues to bring in women in different parts of life.
“We do modern, jazz, pop and really old music,” she said. “A real good variety. It just keeps the interest alive.”
Another part of what she said attracts new members is that they don’t do auditions, instead placing women according to their vocal range.
The group performs all over the area for winter and spring concerts, such as the Christmas Ship and the Puget Sound Yacht Club. The singers have also traveled around the world to places like the British Isles that included a live performance on the BBC radio and the Corearte International Choir Festival in Barcelona, Spain.
“Our group is all about fun,” Ditter said.
The added popularity to their dinner theatre program has also allowed them to increase the amount in their annual scholarship to $1,000. The scholarship goes to a high school student interested in pursuing music, but the money can be used however they wish. The scholarship winner performs at their spring concert.
The concert will be held at 5 p.m. on May 15 and 6 p.m. on May 21 at the Redmond Senior Center. The program will be the same for both dates.
For more information or to join the group, go to lakewashingtonsingers.org.
