| 24 Choirs Selected for WGBH’s New Singing Competition
Taping for Sing That Thing! begins this month, premieres on WGBH 2 in April Public broadcaster names three judges, including NEC professor, local activist and WGBH’s arts editor
BOSTON, Mass. (February 05, 2015) – Twenty-four amateur singing groups from across southern New England – including nine high schools groups, six collegiate choirs and nine community choruses –were selected from a field of more than 50 groups to perform during the inaugural season of Sing That Thing!, WGBH Boston’s new local series. The series, hosted by Boston Children’s Chorus artistic director Anthony Trecek-King, begins taping later this month and premieres on WGBH 2 on Friday, April 17 at 8:30pm.
“WGBH has been Boston’s leading arts broadcaster since we first went on the air six decades ago. Sing That Thing! continues a strong tradition of connecting new audiences with the arts,” said Liz Cheng, WGBH’s general manager for television and executive producer of Sing That Thing!. “The groups showcasing their vocal talents on Sing That Thing! represent an impressive array of talent. These a cappella groups, gospel choirs, classical music ensembles and large choruses are among the best New England has to offer.”
The series includes groups from four categories: high school, collegiate, small adult group (8-16 members) and large adult group (17-60 members). The groups will perform over five episodes, including a live-to-tape finale featuring the top eight groups (two from each category) performing a unique rendition of an original composition commissioned for the series.
WGBH also named the trio of coaches – Jane Eaglen, Larry Watson and Jared Bowen – who will mentor the groups and determine which groups will advance to the special finale concert. Eaglen is an internationally-renowned opera singer and instructor at the New England Conservatory. Watson, an educator, lyricist and civil rights activist, is a professor in the Berklee College of Music ensemble department. Bowen, WGBH News’ executive arts editor, hosts WGBH 2’s Open Studio with Jared Bowen, Boston television’s only local arts series (airs Fridays at 8:30pm).
“The Sing That Thing! team is excited to welcome a talented and diverse set of judges to the production,” said executive producer Patricia Alvarado Nuñez. “Jane, Larry and Jared’s years of experience and passion for the arts will give our audience a unique perspective and appreciation for each group’s approach to the friendly competition.”
Sing That Thing! is WGBH’s newest original local series. Other local series include WGBH News’ Greater Boston, Beat the Press, Basic Black and Open Studio with Jared Bowen, as well as High School Quiz Show, produced by WGBH Education, and Front Row Boston, produced by the WGBH Digital Studios division.
Preliminary round tapings for Sing That Thing! will take place on Tuesday, February 10 through Friday, February 13 at WGBH Studios in Brighton. The finale will be taped on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 in front of a studio audience. More information about the series is available at WGBH.org/SingThatThing.
Selected Choirs
High school · The 18 Wheelers (The Wheeler School) – Providence, RI · Beverly High School Vocal Ensemble – Beverly, MA · The Boston Arts Academy Spirituals – Boston, MA · Boston City Singers – Boston, MA · Fantasy (Shepherd Hill High School) – Dudley, MA · Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Chamber Chorus · Junior Providence Singers – East Providence, RI · Lexington High School Madrigal Singers – Lexington, MA · WitchPitch? (Salem High School) – Salem, MA
College · Chordially Yours (Boston University) – Boston, MA · Noteworthy (Emerson) – Boston, MA · SSockapella (Salem State) – Salem, MA · Syncopasian (MIT) – Cambridge, MA · UMASS Lowell Chamber Singers – Lowell, MA · Zumbyes (Amherst College) – Amherst, MA
Adult – small group · Fermata Town – Boston, MA · None of the Above – Wellesley, MA · Stämbandet: The Scandinavian Vocal Ensemble – Newton, MA · Women’s Chamber Ensemble of Jubilate Chorale – Brockton, MA
Adult – large group · Amici Cantores – Norwood, MA · Master Singers of Worcester – Worcester, MA · Merrimack Valley Chorus – Wilmington, MA · Musica Sacra – Cambridge, MA · Vocal Revolution – Lexington, MA
About WGBH: WGBH Boston is America’s preeminent public broadcaster and the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web. Television channels include WGBH 2, WGBX 44, and the digital channels World and Create. WGBH Radio serves listeners across New England with 89.7 WGBH, Boston Public Radio; 99.5 WCRB; and WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR® Station. Find more information at wgbh.org.
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