Pierce students sang their hearts out to raise funds for choir and music classes at the college on Saturday.
Several people attended the Philharmonic Choir of Pierce College event which featured a dinner and silent auction on April 12 in the Great Hall.
“I usually have 16 people perform, but this time it was closer to 20,” said Terry Danne, assistant professor of music. “I don’t like to leave people out when it’s close to 16.”
The choir did not sing together. Rather, members of various ages performed solo songs throughout the evening. Diane Rosales, 67, said that the choir is “multi-generational and multi-ethnic” with the average student age being 40 years old.
Rosales has been singing for more than 13 years. She sang her song toward the end of the show.
“I have a gift and it is my responsibility to share that gift,” she said. “It brings me great joy.”
Another student, Bob Hudson, sang “The Hippopotamus Song,” originally sung by Flanders & Swann. He engaged the crowd, who sang along with him through the chorus. The audience cheered loudly for Hudson when the song was over.
“The song was a big hit when I did it last year too,” Hudson said.
Other than listening to the musicians, attendees could participate in the silent auction located along the sides of the Great Hall where various objects were available to bid on. Attendants would write down their bid on a piece of paper next to the object they wanted. Items included in the silent auction were a $5 Starbucks gift card, gift baskets and memorabilia.
Theresa Danne, executive assistant of the choir and wife of Terry Danne, sang second to last in the show. She sang “Father Can You Hear Me,” originally sung by Tiffany Evans, in honor of Theresa Danne’s father who died in September of 2013.
“It’s great because the old learn from the young and the young learn from the old,” Theresa Danne said. “Everyone learns from each other.”
Michael Bullion, 54, sang an older song, “Brown Eyed Girl,” originally by Van Morrison, while playing a tambourine.
“I hope this performance would help me become more comfortable singing publicly,” Bullion said. He hopes to eventually sign on with a band and perform at local venues.
The next venture for the choir students is a concert in the Great Hall tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 27.
