Metro Jazz Voices Performs Love Songs in Farmington Hills Feb. 8

The concert is part of the City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division concert series.

Metro Jazz Voices brings smooth renditions of romantic favorites like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Georgia", backed by one of the best rhythm trios in Detroit, to the Farmington Players Barn Theatre on Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. Selections will include popular favorites and rare gems presented with a sophisticated four-part harmony and moving solos. “If I could summarize our style, I would say Manhattan Transfer mixed with the Great American Songbook,” said Carl Cafagna, the group’s tenor. When Metro Jazz Voices performed at the B’Jazz Vespers event in Birmingham, producer Robert Washburn said people did not want the concert to end.  Metro Jazz Voices is comprised of Cafagna, Meri Slaven, Nicci Der Stepanian, and Jeremy St. Martin. The group …

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See 'Fabulous Frank' Sinatra Tribute at Farmington Players Barn Jan. 12

Peter Oprisko sings timeless classics like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “New York, New York,” and “Strangers in the Night”.

"Fabulous Frank", a special tribute to Frank Sinatra by Peter Oprisko, brings timeless classics like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “New York, New York,” and “Strangers in the Night” to the Farmington Players Barn Jan. 12. Oprisko, whose versatile, seductive baritone is the perfect representation of Frank Sinatra’s memorable style, is known for his talent and charisma. He has been called “The Rolls Royce of singers today” by renowned jazz performer Ramsey Lewis. In the 1990’s, Oprisko was heard by millions as host and producer of two nationally syndicated radio shows, including “Exclusively Sinatra.” Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert are $19 for adults and $17 for students and seniors and can be purchased at https://recreg.fhgov.com, by calling 248…

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First Thing: SWOCC Studios Posts Farmington Hills Youth Choir Auditions on YouTube

The musical group is expected to perform at the City of Farmington Hills annual holiday lighting ceremony in December.

If you're looking for good, local entertainment and information on YouTube.com, the popular video-sharing website, check out the SWOCC Studios channel.  The Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission (SWOCC) provides public access and government cable programming for the cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills and Novi.  In addition to candidate profiles and other voter information, SWOCC covers local events, like September's Farmington Hills Youth Choir auditions (featured with this article). A City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division program, the choir offers youth in grades 6-12 the opportunity to perform in concerts and at the city's annual holiday lighting ceremony.  For information about current events, follow the links below. We've…

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New Director Leads Farmington Hills Youth Choir; Auditions Set Sept. 18

Dennis Ryans II teaches at Detroit Community High and recently served as Assistant Music Director of the Mosaic Youth Theatre.

Do you have an aspiring singer in your family, looking for an opportunity to learn how to sing better, make new friends, and have a great experience? Students in grades 6-12 can audition for the Farmington Hills Youth Choir on Sept. 18, at the Vagnozzi Visitors Center in Heritage Park on Farmington Road between 10 and 11 Mile. The Youth Choir offers beginners to advanced students an opportunity to perform a wide variety of music, from pop to classics. This fall, the Youth Choir welcomes new director Dennis Ryans II, a music educator currently teaching at Detroit Community High School, who also recently served as Assistant Music Director of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. He has served as Co-Manager of the Michigan Schools Vocal Music …

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Cut Time Players Make Classical Music Fun at Farmington Players Barn

Tickets are still available for tonight's concert, which features an ensemble of DSO performers who aim to create "a shortcut to loving classical music”.

Love Kids and Music? Farmington Hills Seeks New Youth Choir Director

Rehearsals for the chorus, which is open to singers in grades 6-12, begin Sept. 18.

With fall rehearsals set to get underway in just a few weeks, the City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division is seeking a new director for the Farmington Hills Youth Choir (FHYC). The choir runs September to December and January to April, with Tuesday rehearsals beginning Sept. 18 and a Dec. 18 winter performance. According to a press release, the successful candidate will be energetic and motivated, and relate well to youth in grades 6 to 12. The contract position requires the candidate to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Music, and to be able to select and direct a varied selection of music from classical to contemporary, as well as show choir and pop selections. The Director will be responsible for conducting auditions, …

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Cut Time Players Kick Off Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Series Sept. 8

The ensemble of Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians take a fresh approach to classical music at the Farmington Players Barn.

Another season of high-quality, affordable concerts in Farmington Hills begins on Saturday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., as the Cut Time Players kick off a wide selection of musical entertainment in the intimate setting of the Farmington Players Barn Theatre. Cut Time Players is an ensemble formed in 1995 by an enthusiastic group of Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) musicians, who share the goal of creating “a shortcut to loving classical music” with a “fresh, fun and personal” presentation. Led by DSO bassist and 2010 Kresge Artist Awardee Rick Robinson, the group is known for its fun-filled, animated performances and imaginative interpretations of popular classical pieces. The “light classics” concert will feature selections such as “The Sorcerer’…

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Tonight's Heritage Park Concert in Farmington Hills Moves Indoors

The FCB Big Band will play jazz and swing favorites at the Costick Center.

Tonight's free FCB Big Band concert, slated for Heritage Park, has been moved to the Costick Center on 11 Mile, east of Middlebelt, in Farmington Hills.  Cultural Arts Coordinator Nancy Coumoundouros said predictions of thunderstorms later tonight led to the decision to head indoors.  The FCB Big Band is a select group of musicians from the Farmington Community Band who perform a wide variety of old-time jazz favorites, along with lively introductions, and vocal and instrumental solos. For more information, call the Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division at 248-473-1856.

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SHOUT! Beatles Tribute Band Lights Up Heritage Park in Farmington Hills Next Week

The amphitheater is dark tonight, but SHOUT! plays a free concert on July 12 at 7 p.m.

Next week's free concert at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills will take you back to the 1960s, with SHOUT! A Fantastic Tribute to the Fab Four. There is no concert this week, but on July 12, the amphitheater will rock with the sounds of a band that creates a true Beatles ambience in sound and appearance. Their playlist will feature early songs from first releases such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “I Saw Her Standing There,” as well as later tunes like “Paperback Writer” and “Hey Jude.”  SHOUT musicians have taken the time to collect authentic period instrments and equipment. Greg Gersabeck, "John", brings on-stage collection that includes a Vox AC-30 amp, a black Rickenbacker 325 guitar, a Gibson J-160E acoustic, and an Epiphone …

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Youth Theater's 'Wizard of Oz' Opens This Week in Farmington Hills

Young actors say they're excited about the play, which combines parts of the movie and stage play.

The Farmington Hills Youth Theatre takes the yellow brick road this weekend, with six performances of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on the Costick Center stage. This version of the popular and timeless children’s story brings all the famous characters to life, with 170 children performing in two casts. The production incorporates elements of the iconic movie, as well as the Broadway musical version, The Wiz.  Is your child in this production? Please share your photos, by clicking on the "Upload Photos and Video" link.  For 15-year-old West Bloomfield resident Meredith Mackey, playing the role of "Dorothy", who is blown from her home in Kansas to the Land of Oz, is a dream come true. Mackey said she has wanted her whole life to play the …

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