Singers of all experience levels are encouraged to join the group, which rehearses one Saturday per month.
Too busy for choir auditions? Can’t carry a tune? There’s finally a singing group for Plant City and Tampa Bay residents that requires neither major time commitments or stellar vocals.
The Bay Area Chorale is taking new members.
The chorale kicked off last year and includes members from multiple cities throughout Tampa Bay.
With one Christmas show and one summer show per year, the chorale requires only one mandatory rehearsal per month and is open to everyone ages 13 and up. Teens between the ages of 13 and 15 must have a parent in the chorale.
“We just wanted to get music out to more people.” — Jenise Freeland
Kristen Holloway, the chorale’s personnel manager, said joining the Bay Area Chorale came naturally. As a member of the audition-based group Soaring Sounds, Holloway was grateful for another opportunity to perform.
“This is a chance to pull in friends who may not want to audition,” Holloway, a Turkey Creek Middle School teacher, said. “Some friends I only see during shows, and this is one more chance to hang out with them.”
Holloway added that for former high school theater performers, this is a chance to return to their beloved hobby.
“A lot of people, once they get out of high school, don’t always get to perform,” Holloway said. “That’s what makes Bay Area Chorale so special. This is their chance to do it again.”
So far, Plant City residents make up roughly one-third of the group of about 30. Other members come from Brandon,
Riverview, Wesley Chapel, FishHawk and Temple Terrace.
“We just wanted to get music out to more people,” Jenise Freeland, a Plant City resident, said. “I’ve been a member since the beginning. We wanted to give people an opportunity to perform who might not otherwise have time. We just want as many people as possible.”
In August, the Bay Area Chorale will be auditioning to perform at Disney’s Candlelight Processional. The annual event features a mass choir performing with a live orchestra. Last year, the Bay Area Chorale’s audition was accepted.
“I love doing Candlelight,” Freeland said. “It’s a great family activity. There’s really no experience necessary for Bay Area Chorale. They don’t even need to know how to read music.”
Tracey Magruder serves as the group’s FishHawk representation. A frequent star in many Plant City Entertainment shows, Magruder jokes she got “bit by the bug.”
“I did this sort of thing in college,” Magruder said. “I started out in a non-audition group and moved to a chamber group. I would like to see it grow as much as we can. I would love to double it.”
The group prides itself on being open to all singers.
“We have singers of all different levels of experience and talent,” Magruder said.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
