OCEAN PINES — On Sunday, June 3 at 3 p.m., the Pine Tones Chorus will present its Spring Concert at the Community Church of Ocean Pines. Tickets are $8, available from members of the chorus or at the door. Light refreshments will be served after the concert.
This concert is a special tribute to Leslie Munro, who sings bass in the Pine Tones Chorus and is reaching age 100 in June. The concert title, The Rhythm of Life, is taken from the opening selection, a rollicking, spirited melody. Chorus selections from Munro’s youth, the ragtime era, include Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin and Ballin’ the Jack.
Munro will be singing “Now I’m Ruler of the Queen’s Navy,” a Gilbert and Sullivan ballad. With its catchy words, the song depicts how a humble lad progressed to the highest naval post, minus any nautical skills, a spoof on the politics of its day.
“I still know this song from singing it about 35 years ago,” said Munro.
Recognizing Munro’s fondness for the classic-style of choral music, the chorus will sing Haydn’s The Heaven’s are Telling and also selections by John Rutter.
June Todd is the Pine Tones director and Cris Engel is the group’s accompanist. Guest musicians will also accompany the chorus with Tom Baione playing string bass and Mary Collins on clarinet. Guest singers will be Evonne Lee, a soprano well known to local audiences, and Katerina Burton. The two will perform a duet by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pie Jesu.
"It may be a good idea to arrive early for the best seats, since our Spring concerts have been very popular,” Chorus President Chuck Strang said.
The Pine Tones Chorus includes 55 members from Ocean Pines, Ocean City and nearby areas.
For additional information, call Strang at 410-208-6748 or Todd at 410-289-7373
Funding for Pine Tones Chorus activities comes from ticket sales as well as the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.