Robson Ranch Singers Spring Show
Karen McMillen
Hopefully you had the chance to come to one of the Robson Ranch Singers Spring Shows on March 24 or March 25. The theme this year was America Sings! The Music of a Nation. Music showcased the 250–year history of the U.S. in representations of the music that shaped our nation. Both nights, the nearly sold–out audience clapped, sang along, cried, laughed, and danced to tunes from across our history. After opening with “This Is My Country,” the Singers performed a rousing rendition of “O Susanna,” complete with banjo (Ken Muhlbeier), spoons (Pete Marks), violin (Sherry Riebli), two jug players (Rick Lieneman and Steve Gove), bass (Jerome Ryan), and a washboard (Connie Drew)! Jerome Ryan (bass) and Connie Drew (drums) also accompanied the Singers on a number of songs throughout the show.
Songs ranged from folk songs “If I Had a Hammer/Where Have all the Flowers Gone” (with soloist Doreen Rose), “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Shenandoah” to country music such as a John Denver medley (featuring soloist Ray White), “Nobody Knows/Gonna Lay My Burden Down” and “I Love You Arizona” featuring our tenors and basses, soloist Steve Gove and guitarist Connie Koza.
Not to be outdone, the sopranos and altos performed the classic Andrews Sisters song “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” while dancers Debra Parker, Barbara Glover, and Loralee Campbell entertained the audience and Lisa Suskevich pantomimed blowing a mean reveille on the bugle. The “Beach Boys” (Rodney Kern, Gary Lewis, Bob Vandenberg, and Ray White) made an appearance on stage as the Singers performed “Surfin’ USA” and then Pete Marks belted out “Back in the USA” while Rich Marks channeled Little Richard and hopped up on the keyboard bench to accompany her. Connie Drew, Connie Koza, and Scott Williams rounded out the band for that number while dancers Laura Byrne, Vera Cannella, Susan Jarchow, and Jan Stocek boogied along. Lisa Suskevich led a sing-along to the classic “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” and the evening concluded with “This Land is Your Land/America the Beautiful” (soloist Rick Lieneman), “America Keep Singing” and “God Bless America.” On this final song, members of the Singers moved out into the audience, and everyone stood as one to sing along.
Thank you to everyone who attended our shows and supported us. We hope you plan to join us for our Holiday Shows on Dec. 8 and 9. The Singers will begin rehearsals in September for the fall season; if you have any questions about the RR Singers or want to know more about us, please contact our director, Laurie Laramie, at laramiefamily@comcast.net.