Forever Young Phase III Chorus Revives 20th Century Pops

Forever Young Phase III Chorus is presenting three concerts in September: Sunday, September 7, 2 p.m., at Melrose High School Auditorium; Thursday, September 11, 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, Sauk Centre; and Sunday, September 14, 7 p.m., at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany. Admission is free. There will be opportunity for a free-will offering.
This year’s program features American pop music from 1900 through 1999. These songs often defined the mood of the decade in which they became popular at the turn of the century, the sentimental “In the Good Old Summertime”; the flirty flapper of the ‘20s teasing with “Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me”; “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” mirroring the ‘30s sadness over the Depression and approaching war; the Elvis generation gyrating to “Blue Suede Shoes” and slow dancing to “Unchained Melody”; the socially-conscious ‘60s and ‘70s with its “Blowin’ in the Wind” folk songs and militant “We Shall Overcome” anthems.
Forever Young banded together several years ago as an outlet for seniors to express their love of music. Currently, there are 40 members from Melrose and surrounding communities. Director Irene Sullivan has led the group from the beginning. Sue Roe accompanies performances and rehearsals, which are held each Thursday afternoon from April through September.
This year Bill Michael is on trumpet, Todd Prout on drums, and Don Neu on bass will perform individually and with the chorus on several numbers.