One of Long Island’s largest community choirs, Rock Voices Long Island West, will bring a professional rock concert experience to Huntington Station this weekend.
The 100-member chorus, backed by a live four-piece band, will perform hits by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, the Eagles, Orleans, Semisonic and more on Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m. at the Walt Whitman High School Performing Arts Center.
“The cool thing is that it's a four-piece rock band that accompanies us,” Director Nick Ambrosino told South Shore Press. “So, it's an amateur choir that has a professional sound.”
Ambrosino, who has more than 40 years of experience in music education, said no auditions are required to join the choir, but commitment is expected.
“It’s a no-audition community choir so these people work really, really hard. Their enthusiasm and love for what we do, it’s just palpable,” he said.
Ambrosino said a defining element of Rock Voices is its familiar repertoire.
“We play all rock music that people will recognize,” he said, noting some exceptions related to the group’s educational mission. Saturday’s program includes “I Will” by the Beatles and “Fool in Love” by Farrenheit.
The concert will be held at Walt Whitman High School Performing Arts Center, 301 West Hills Road, Huntington Station.
Tickets, available at the door or through Eventbrite.com, are approximately $23 for adults, $17.85 for seniors, and $12 for students.
Registration is open for the upcoming summer session, which runs May through June. An open house will be held for those interested in joining.
“Rehearsals are just a bundle of energy and fun,” said Ambrosino. “We give you the experience of learning how to sing. The choir is divided into four parts, so it's four-part harmony. We have sopranos; there are altos; we have tenors; and we have bass.”
Ambrosino helps new members determine their vocal placement.
“When you come in, I'll suggest where you belong in terms of your voice type and then you will learn your parts in our rehearsals.” Recordings are provided to members for practice at home.
Ambrosino said the combination of hard work and enjoyment helps maintain participation.
“They are hooked usually after the first rehearsal because we literally work very hard, but we have a boatload of fun in those rehearsals. At the beginning it's a mess like it always is whenever you start something new and then by week seven, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and everyone's getting excited.”
Rehearsals take place Tuesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. in Plainview, drawing participants from across the region.
Rock Voices has locations throughout the East Coast and in Oregon. More information is available at https://rockvoices.com.