Start your holiday season off right with Upscale Singers’ annual Christmas show. It’s an anniversary party as they celebrate “Tis the 20th Season: Celebrating a Merry Milestone.”
Purchase your tickets now to secure your spot for either the Dec. 7 performance at 2 p.m. or the Dec. 8 performance at 5 p.m. Doors open 45 minutes prior to start time. Taking place at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center at 33606 N. 60th Street in Scottsdale, tickets can be purchased online at upscalesingers.com/christmas-show.
With Upscale Singers, it’s more than just putting together a beautiful Christmas and spring show. The group has a dual mission, “To perform great music for all ages, and to build young singers’ abilities with opportunities for skill development and financial support.”
“I grew up loving music and I had a family that really nurtured that,” Margaret Miner, director of Upscale Singers said. “I love that we help nurture other young people who love music.”
Upscale Singers awards music scholarships to local students in their annual competition for junior and senior high singers, with the money going directly to the vocal teacher of the winner’s choice. This year’s scholarship winner for the Junior Division is Lottie Anderson, a 9th grader from Boulder Creek High School. For the Senior Division, Noelle Hammond, a 12th grader, also from Boulder Creek, took home the award.
The organization also supports the Arizona Magic of Music and Dance, sponsors young singers to attend the Desert Foothills Youth Theater Music Camps and performs regularly with the Upscale Kids. In 2010, they created a new program that helps public school junior and senior high choir directors with up to $400 grants each school year.
“Our goal is to have fun singing wonderful music and then give back to the community. When the audience comes and supports our concerts, they’re also supporting what we’re giving back to the community,” Miner said. “We want to grow with the community. We want music for kids to grow in the community and we want to be a part of that and support them as much as we can.”
With 44 individuals in the group and an age range from 17 to 90, they have singers that have been on Broadway, performed in New York or have even sung backup for pop singers. Most of the group is local with some members coming from other parts of the Valley.
The Christmas show is more than just a musical performance. With a combination of holiday songs and beautiful arrangements of carols, there will be different groups performing different songs, various costume looks, set design, choreography, accompanists, and more.
“There’s always magic that happens between the performers and the audience. It’s not your standard hymnal arrangement,” Miner said. “It’s not just a choir concert, it’s more of a musical event.”
For just $25 per adult and $10 for youth (18 and under), guests will get to revel in the holiday spirit at Upscale Singers beloved Christmas concert. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward the different nonprofits and community organizations they support. Additional donations can be made on their website as well.
“We feel like we are definitely spreading the holiday cheer and bringing joy with some of the songs, hope with other songs, laughter and entertainment. We bring back memories like the wonderful TV holiday specials that used to be on,” Miner said. “It’s remembering the joy of what music and the holidays have done. We give that back to the community.”
More information and tickets for Upscale Singers’ Christmas concert can be purchased online at upscalesingers.com.
