The California Women’s Chorus Inc. (CWC) will kick off the organization’s 47th annual convention and concert on April 29 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego. Almost 200 women from the 10 member choruses in California will gather to present “Regards to Broadway” on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m. The three-day event will be hosted by Sweet Harmony, CWC’s San Diego-based chorus. Nearly three quarters of the Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus (VHWC) will travel by car or by rail to San Diego to be part of this musical weekend.

Registration for the weekend will begin Friday afternoon. There will be time for a swim or a visit to the afternoon spa as well as games in the pavilion and lounging on the patio before the activities of Friday night’s curtain call begins at 7 p.m.  Chorus members have been invited to dress up and sing along with their favorite stars as they participate in “Best of Broadway Movie Night” with awards being given for audience favorites.

So much for the fun; the work begins Saturday morning with a three or four hour rehearsal for the nearly 200 singers in attendance. Each CWC chorus has been rehearsing this music with their own directors. Sharon Schlarb is the director for Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus. Guest director Thomas Barich will be wielding the baton for the combined chorus. Thomas, who has been involved in church music from an early age and whose credits are too numerous to mention, is currently the director of Music and University Christian Church in San Diego. Nancy Flynn, pianist and composer who has written over 100 children’s songs, will accompany the group.

Saturday night activities will include a banquet and several of the choruses will perform specialty songs. VHWC will perform, “It’s Convention Time,” an invitation to the 2017 convention, which they will host in Glendale next year.

CWC has two goals: one is to promote singing choral music among women and the second is to provide scholarships to talented vocalists. Three scholarships will be awarded to local students of vocal music. Each will sing at the concert on Sunday, May 1 and receive their award at that time. They have auditioned and been chosen by professional adjudicators.

“Regards to Broadway” on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m. will reveal several of Broadway’s greatest songs over the years. It is a program for the entire family and the public is invited to attend.  Concert tickets may be purchased at the door of Four Points Sheraton Hilton, 8110 Aero Dr., San Diego.

Submitted by Arlene MASSIMINO