The art and music scene in the Mansfield area is alive and well. Residents can both experience a choral extravaganza and support the local theatre this weekend.
On Sunday, October 13 at 3 p.m. the Renaissance Theatre will host ‘Sing Out! A Choral Celebration.’ In its second year, the fundraiser provides support for the theatre, while bringing together area choral groups. This year features the professional Moonlighters Men’s Quartet, StarStruck Women’s Quartet and the Mansfield Symphony Chorus.
The adult group performers feature mostly local talent, while the StarStruck Quartet includes one local resident, and three Columbus residents.
The Sing Out fundraiser also brings local high school groups together. This year’s performance will include high school choirs from Mansfield Christian, Crestview and Mansfield Senior. The Mansfield-Madison Vocal Jazz group will also join the high school performers.
Former Mansfield Symphony Chorus Director Deb Logan birthed the idea of bringing together area choirs to promote the local arts scene, with the funds directly benefitting the theatre. Out of the desire to have area high school choirs hear each other perform, Logan and current Director Dirk Eachus got to work putting the event together. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
‘My students from Mansfield Senior loved it,’ Eachus, who is also the Choral Director for Mansfield Junior and Senior High Schools, said. ‘They are looking forward to it this year again. They like performing in general, but to hear some of the area groups is a great experience for them.’
The general public has shown their support for the event, too.
‘The response was very, very good,’ Eachus said. ‘Our response is sometimes gauged in different ways. Applause is always a factor, but we also had a good turn out. A very large audience came to support the students last year, which is evidence of the [Mansfield residents’] support for student performers.’
The Mansfield Symphony Chorus performance schedule for 2013-14 also includes a December Holiday Pops concert with the Mansfield Symphony, featuring PROJECT Trio as the guest artist. In April, the chorus will perform Beethoven and other classics.
Mansfielders can enjoy other opportunities to experience local art. The Mansfield Symphony’s current season will include performances that feature masterpieces, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart, Haydn and Mahler.
The Renaissance Theatre offers a range of experiences this season, including Broadway shows like Young Frankenstein, a holiday organ concert and the Third Annual Beerfest.
The theatre’s 2014 schedule includes performances by The Bob and Tom Comedy Tour and the Popovich Pet Comedy show. You can also catch musical performances featuring a Pink Floyd tribute band on November 2, Paul Revere and the Raiders in April, and Branson on the Road in May, 2014.
It’s no wonder the Mansfield arts and music scene is thriving. With so many opportunities to experience local art and music, Mansfielders young and old are taking advantage of the range of performances taking place monthly. The ‘Sing Out! A Choral Celebration’ is one such performance area residents won’t want to miss.
The suggested donation for the performance is $5 per person, and you can pay at the door. Contact the Renaissance Theatre for more information, or call 419-522-2726.
