Choral Program Dazzles Crowd At Woolsey

For the second time in four years Cathyann Roding and members of her Branford High School Choral Program took their show on the road, providing a dazzling performance at Yale’s Woolsey Hall. 

On Sunday over 700 attended their ​‘Bach to Rock’ concert, a two-part program consisting of Bach’s ​“Magnificat” as well as 10 rock classics arranged with a 30- piece orchestra and a rock band.

The concert was for the benefit of the Branford Counseling Center’s Basic Needs program.

The Bach work was written in 1723 and is in twelve movements. This classic was performed just over a month after many of the singers performed in the acclaimed production of Les Miz in their annual spring production at the high school.

Soprano Marissa Salazar (pictured), who had a lead in Les Miz, sang several solo’s in both programs.

In 2011, the choral group took to the stage at Woolsey Hall to perform ​“Rock ​‘n’ Roll Over Beethoven,” another classic music to classic rock concert.

Cathyann Roding (pictured), in her 30th year at Branford High, served as the musical director and conductor. The ​“Rock” orchestrations were coordinated by Drake Smith.

Branford graduate Chris Velardi (pictured), recently of WTNH 8, served as Master of Ceremonies.

At intermission the singers changed from their more formal attire for the classical program to tee shirts and jeans for the classic rock program.

Such classic songs as ​“Born to Be Wild,” a song first performed by the band Steppenwolf, Paul McCartney & Wings and ​“Live and Let Die,” and Elton John’s ​“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” were among those songs performed.

The audience loved it.
 

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