Performances

The Norman Singers say “Don’t Handel the Hairspray” in their 29th Spring Concert at 3 pm Sunday, May 4, at St Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 1801 W. Brooks, Norman.

The Singers’ program opens with “As Longs the Hart for Flowing Streams” – a George Frederic Handel cantata for chorus, soloists, and instrumental ensemble – and wraps up with the driving “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from the hit musical “Hairspray.”  Handel and Hairspray bookend a program that spans five centuries of choral treasures, including English and European madrigals and works by J. S. Bach, Mozart, Randall Thompson and Irving Berlin.

For the fifth year, the Norman Singers will honor the winners of the Norman Community Choral Society’s Contest for Young Poets by premiering original choral works based on the winners’ poems.  The best high-school entry – “Our Getaway,” by Norman North junior Taylor Marlow – and the top middle-school poem – “Snowboarding,” by Alcott Middle School eight grader Christian Heeney – were set to music by music director and composer-in-residence Beverly McLarry.

The winners also receive a cash prize.  In addition, their works and the poems selected by judges Leah Taylor and Carol Koss for honorable mention will be available in a booklet at the concert.

The NCCS’ annual poetry contest is largely supported by the Norman Arts Council Grant Program, funded by the Norman Hotel/Motel Tax.

Concert tickets are available from any NCCS member and will be available at the door.  Ticket prices are:

-  Adults: $4 advance — $5 at the door

-  Senior (65+): $3 advance — $4 at the door

-  Students:$3 advance — $4 at the door

(Children under 12 admitted free.)

The Norman Singers are the non-audition adult chorus of the Norman Community Choral Society.  The NCCS, in its 29th year, welcomes singers of all ages and levels of experience.  The Singers rehearse Mondays, 7:30-9:30 pm during the OU school year, at St Michael’s Episcopal Church in Norman.

The NCCS programs and activities are funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Oklahoma Arts Council, and by the Norman Arts Council.  More information is available at www.nccs-ok.org.