Choral Dynamics has been raising money for Galesburg-area nonprofits through live performance for 50 years. This weekend, the organization hits the Orpheum Theatre stage for its 97th production — and one of its most meaningful shows yet.
Producers Jean Schumard, Kris Whitsitt, and Phil Yeast joined Tyler Gumm and Jay Redfern on Galesburg’s Morning News on Thursday, May 28. Listen to the full interview above.
Raising Spirits with Song weaves together three themes: the history of Galesburg, the 50th anniversary of Choral Dynamics, and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The show features approximately 80 performers, an 8-piece live band, dancing, media elements, and a Vaudeville-inspired retro feel — a nod to the Orpheum’s history as a Vaudeville house.
The beneficiary is the Children’s Grief Camp of Galesburg. Ad sales for the show have already surpassed $23,000 — a new record for Choral Dynamics. Previous shows typically raised around $14,000 through ad sales.
Topics covered in this interview:
- What 50 years and nearly 100 productions means to the members of Choral Dynamics
- How the idea for Raising Spirits with Song came together
- The three themes woven through the show — Galesburg history, Choral Dynamics’ anniversary, and America’s 250th
- The Vaudeville feel and the Orpheum’s history as a backdrop
- What audiences can expect — the music, the dancing, the surprises
- The Children’s Grief Camp of Galesburg and the record-breaking fundraising effort
- What it’s like to produce a Choral Dynamics show
- How to get involved with Choral Dynamics
Show details
Raising Spirits with Song, presented by Choral Dynamics
- Friday, May 29 — 7 p.m.
- Saturday, May 30 — 7 p.m.
- Sunday, May 31 — 2 p.m.
Historic Orpheum Theatre, downtown Galesburg
Tickets: GalesburgOrpheum.org or call the box office at (309) 342-2299, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.