By Brandon HENSLEY

On Sunday, the California Women’s Chorus will hold its 42nd annual public concert at 2 p.m. And, for the first time, it will be held in Glendale, which is exciting to Arlene Massimino.

“This is amazing to have it held in Glendale,” said Massimino, the Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus performance chair. “It’s been a real challenge for our 30 members to put together this three-day event for the entire membership from the state.”

Every spring, the CWC holds a concert in a different city, such as Riverside, San Diego or Bakersfield. On Sunday the Chorus will be at the Glendale Hilton Hotel.

The name of the concert is “A Song in Our Hearts,” and will be hosted by the Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus. Songs will include “Route 66” and some songs from Broadway and will include various medleys.

The CWC has 251 women from 13 different organizations in the state. Massimino said 215 will be in Glendale for the weekend.

The Verdugo Hills Chorus puts on concerts around the foothill area, including Pasadena-Altadena, Glendale and La Crescenta.

“Most of us live in the La Crescenta area,” Massimino said.

She added that all of the women having been working hard to put on this event, which includes spending copious amounts of time with each other, but she joked, “We’re all still talking to each other.”

The program is sponsored in part by the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts. Suzanne Duff of the Verdugo Hills chapter and Diana Tyson of the Burbank Singers – another chapter – are event co-chairs and will present Desiree La Vertu, guest director, Alan Geier, accompanist and, Dario Frommer, who will be master of ceremonies.

What will also happen is the presentation of scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to college-age singers Juhye Kim, Benjamin Cortez and Emma-Grace Dunbar. These singers were chosen through an audition process in March. The money will go toward furthering their education.

“The California Women’s Chorus’ first goal is to promote choral singing among women,” said Massimino. “The second goal is philanthropic and that is to present young, talented vocal students with a scholarship to further their musical education.”

Tickets for the show are available by contacting Cleta Porterfield at (818) 790-4342. A donation of $15 for advance tickets or $18 at the door is requested.

  Brandon Hensley, CALIFORNIA WOMENS CHORUS, CWC, Leisure