FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Frank Hrach
Big Chicken Chorus
770-587-1264
fehrach@aol.com
www.BigChickenChorus.org

Big Chicken Chorus announces August Auditions program

Marietta, GA, July 20, 2009
The Marietta, GA Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) will be conducting auditions each Monday evening during the month of August, 2009 for men singer/performers to join the ranks of their primary performing unit, the Big Chicken Chorus (BCC), a men’s, four part, a cappella chorus.

The Marietta, GA Chapter was formed as a non-profit organization in 1986 and supports the Big Chicken Chorus, which takes its name from the well-known Marietta, GA landmark. There are several Barbershop Quartets that have also been formed from members of the chorus who enjoy many opportunities to perform with the chorus and as separate, independent ensembles. Opportunities exist for men of all ages who enjoy singing and have the ability to commit music to memory.

Auditions and rehearsals will be held each of the five Monday evenings during the month of August including:

• Monday, August 3, 2009
• Monday, August 10, 2009
• Monday, August 17, 2009
• Monday, August 24, 2009 and
• Monday August 31, 2009

The Big Chicken Chorus rehearses Monday evenings 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm at:

John Knox Presbyterian Church
Fellowship Hall
505 Powers Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30067

“Many of our members began singing in high school or college, then spent time starting their careers and families and discovered they missed the enjoyment music brought to their lives,” says Rick Ramsey, Musical Director of the Big Chicken Chorus. “It is not uncommon to hear our members say they only wished they had discovered the Big Chicken Chorus years before they did, and how much joy the experience of singing with the chorus has returned to their lives and to the lives of their families.”  Free memberships for the first year are offered to men under the age of 25 and father and son participation is welcome. For men under 25, membership dues after the first year are 50% of the annual dues of those men over age 25.

The Big Chicken Chorus has performed throughout the Metropolitan Atlanta area over the years, as well as throughout the State of Georgia as a member of the “Georgia Touring Artist Roster” maintained and supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts. As a member of the Dixie District of the BHS, the BCC has performed throughout the Southeastern states and has appeared in sixteen cities across the U.S. as the representative chorus of the Dixie District in the annual Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Chorus Competition. The Big Chicken Chorus is also a member of the United Arts of Cobb, an organization conceived for the benefit and support of non-profit arts organizations based in Cobb County.

The Marietta, GA Chapter strives to preserve and encourage barbershop singing in a professional and congenial atmosphere. Our purpose is to enrich the quality of life in our community, engage our audiences and provide musical challenge and reward to our singers. We welcome men of all ages, races, and religions as members.

The BCC currently has about 45 active singers, but the size of membership is limited only by the ability to find and attract men who love to sing and enjoy performing in public. Over the years, the BCC has had as many a 125 men on stage for a single performance and would welcome the opportunity to again bring the rich, full sound of more than 100 male voices raised in harmony to its audiences. 

The BCC repertoire includes standard popular tunes such as Orange Colored Sky, and The Way You Look Tonight, patriotic songs, spirituals, parodies (comedy is a staple in the repertoire), classic choral tunes such as Shenandoah and Danny Boy, many Christmas songs, and of course those great old songs your father, grandfather, and great grandfather used to sing.

Auditions are intended to encourage participation and include simple musical tasks such as singing scales, repeating a phrase sung to you, and demonstration of the ability to sing a melody familiar to you. You may be asked to sing Happy Birthday, the National Anthem, or a song of your choice. Knowledge of the BCC repertoire or the ability to read music is not a requirement. Many members cannot read music, and all songs can be learned from repetitive listening to MP3 learning files.

For additional information regarding membership in the Big Chicken Chorus, you are encouraged to visit the website at www.BigChickenChorus.org and click on “Join Us” at the menu on the top of the Home Page. You may also contact Frank Hrach by phone at 770-587-1264, or by email at fehrach@aol.com.

-END-