Rockin’ and rollin’ with the Shiretown gang

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

Get set to rock ’n roll.

The Shiretown Singers are swinging into final rehearsals for their annual showcase, set for April 23, 24 and 25.

“We do a different theme every year - from swing to jazz to classical,” says choir director MaDonna MacDonald. “It’s a huge, huge program.”

This year: watch out for a little Elvis, The Great Pretenders, a tribute to Queen and a medley of music from the 1950s and the 1960s.

“Everything’s memorized, we’re very sophisticated looking and sounding, we always have an excellent turnout and it’s a great show.”

The Shiretown Singers is a four-voice auditioned choir of about 25 members, ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s. They’ve been together for about 10 years, practicing from September through to their big end-of-year concert in April.

“It’s all we do,” MacDonald says. “We’ve been asked many times to do shows and participate in concerts, but we don’t just because of our size and the size of our selection of music.”

Instead, all their talent and energy goes into the themed show. Watch out this year for poodle skirts - “no leather jackets, though - they’re too hot.”

There are three choir members who support with guitar, and three other musicians also pitch in for the concert.

“Everyone knows now when we perform, and they’re waiting. They always want to know the theme.”

For tickets to this year’s rock ’n roll revue, reserve ahead at 678-8306. Tickets may also be available at the door. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. April 23 and continues April 24 and 25, all at the Wesleyn United Church, Canaan Road, Kentville.