Encore’s affiliate chorale of Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, Ohio, gave a wonderful and inspiring concert on Monday, May 23, 2011.  The 45 singers performed to a standing room only audience and performed beautifully under the direction of Donna Anderson.   The evening opened with the singers performing Rodgers & Hammerstein on Broadway.  The energy level was high, the sound full, the diction clear and everyone was glued to their conductor.    Ryan Michaels, a young tenor from The University of Akron , performed a lovely rendition of You Raise Me Up.   His clear, beautiful voice rang out.

The chorale continued with the traditional Irish tune Be Thou My Vision, followed by guest artist Gregory Fiocca, cellist with the Akron Baroque and Mastersingers of Northern Ohio.   His tone was elegant, full and rich in his performance of The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens and the haunting Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninoff.  The chorale’s performance of O My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose was stunning.  The singers sang with a gorgeous blend and conveyed the poetry beautifully.   They were accompanied by Gregory Fiocca, cello and  Amy Schneider, violin.  The mixture of the voices and instruments were perfect.   Tenor, Ryan Michaels, returned to the stage to sing Danny Boy, much to the delight of the entire concert hall.

The concert concluded with a rousing and most enjoyable singing of Wi’ A Hundred Pipers joined by Jill Rango, Drum, and Amy Hartman, Flute.  It was a joyous and uplifting ending to a truly great evening. The Laurel Lake Encore Chorale continued the excellence of Encore!