For the Reporter
Delicious desserts and music were relished by all at Rainier Youth Choirs’ first dessert show fundraiser Friday, Feb. 28.
The evening raised funds for RYC, a nonprofit, community-based choral music education and performance program. The money raised will help keep RYC affordable for singers in grades 4-14 while offering exceptional music training and performance experience to local youth.
Professional pastry chef and parent volunteer, Amelia Higgins, prepared a selection of decadent desserts. Under the guidance of choral directors Leora Schwitters and Brad Wills, the multi-talented choirs pulled together an extremely successful show in only a few weeks.
The young entertainers frolicked through decades of popular musical styles and hit songs. Members from all three RYC choirs spread their wings on stage with the support of musicians Lori and Bill McEwen and Julie Swienty.
• The youngest, 23-member choir (Bella Voce) thrilled spectators singing “Three Quotes” from Mark Twain.
• Half of the 24-member, mid-level choir (Colla Voce) had featured parts in a medley from “Seussical the Musical”.
• The 27 members of the older, concert choir (Consonare) rocked the house with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
• Fourth-grader Bailey Rupert gave a solo performance of “Castle on a Cloud”, having played the role of Little Cosette in Tahoma High School’s production last spring.
• Russell Johnson, Toshi Také, Joel Sigrist and Nick Anderson displayed an array of emotions in their barbershop quartet performance of “Coney Island Baby/We All Fall”.
• Lindsey Pavletich moved the audience with her solo rendition of the “Billie Holiday” inspired “My Man”.
• Brothers Ryan and Trevor Migliore gave a hilarious performance of “Hey, Ho” and gracefully danced to several other songs with their Pacific Ballroom Dance partners Emily Lewis and Brynn Stapley.
• RYC members, Duane Davis, Emi Williams and Cielo Tarabi on piano, and Ariel Gire on cello, provided instrumentals during intermission.
The night was packed with talent including the adult jazz quartet, Voices4. To cap off the show, all 80 performers filled the stage for a rousing rendition of “Barbershop Blues”.
The RYC’s next concert Time and Travel 3 p.m. Sunday June 1 at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 19800 108th Ave. SE, on Kent’s East Hill. Tickets and more information are available at rainieryouthchoirs.org.
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