Masterwork’s Choral Ensemble “Jukebox Classics”

Originally published on social media on June 16th, 2024

This show brought me SO MUCH joy! I felt myself smiling throughout the whole performance and even giving a “WOOOOOO” after some of the songs.

Themed around popular music of the 1940’s-60’s, there was a good mixture of Jazz and Doo Wop cultures. The Masterworks Choral Ensemble started the concert with the song, “Misty,” which I haven’t heard for a while and completely forgotten about. I bought Ella Fitzgerald’s version of this song on iTunes during intermission. Their chamber ensemble performed “Stand By Me,” which was a song I carried in my pocket during my jazz choir days in high school. Hearing them sing this brought a happy tear to my eye and made me think of the fun times I had performing back in high school. If anyone from my Jazz choir years is reading this, know that no matter how much time passes by, I will stand by you in whatever way I can.

Another piece I enjoyed was “Lollypop” which featured 5 female soloists and 1 male soloist who brought so much kenergy to his “ba da bum bum” and I absolutely loved it. I also loved the performance of “This Magic Moment” and the female soloist who absolutely belongs on Broadway.

In the second half of the program, there were a couple of male specific performances. A group of five men harmonized together while singing “Blue Velvet”. Their voices were just as smooth as the fabric they were singing about, and it almost made me cry. Men collectively singing together always does that to me. While I’m talking about men singing, I have to mention the soloist who performed Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” I’ve always had mixed feelings about this song. Sometimes I like it, and other times I think about the mouse from the movie “Sing” performing it and I get immediately annoyed. The Masterworks Choral Soloist gave me a new appreciation for the song and brought SO MUCH emotion into his performance that it also almost made me cry. This soloist also completely embodied Sinatra in a way that was entirely impressive.

I look forward to attending performances in Masterworks Choral Ensembles 24-25 season, and I hope to see you all with me in the audience.