The Robson Ranch Singers under the direction of Jacquie Fedie meet on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. in the Hermosa Ballroom each week from November through April.
The Cactus Blossoms Barbershop Octet is composed of (from left) Carol Ilten, Sue Waibel, Bev Stevenson, Teresa Baxter, Debra Parker and (in front) Debby Harris, Jan Stocek and Connie Koza.
Singing in the Desert Blend Barbershop Quartet are Bud Ayres, tenor; Rick Barnes, lead; Doug Culpepper, bass; and Jim Ilten, baritone.
On two delightful spring evenings in March, the Robson Ranch Singers mixed chorus gave a concert for several hundred residents and their guests. The show, entitled It’s a Grand Night for Singing, included a lineup of show tunes, a spiritual, a medley of songs from My Fair Lady, and assorted music from the 50s and 60s.
Featured during the show were several soloists and two a cappella groups. Kim Gibbs sang, Through the Eyes of Love from Ice Castles, and Patricia Ambrose sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Three additional solos were featured during the singers’ rendition of My Fair Lady. Rick Barnes sang, On the Street Where You Live, Lisa Hunt sang Wouldn’t it be Loverly, and Dave Anderson sang I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.
While the chorus took a break, the Desert Blend men’s quartet sang three traditional barbershop songs and the Cactus Blossoms ladie’s octet performed two Western numbers and a short “saloon” skit. The Singers concluded the program with a stirring rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic.
From its modest beginning five years ago, the Robson Ranch Singers have grown in size each year and now number around 50 members. The group is directed by Jacquie Fedie and accompanied on the piano by Sandy Kantrud.
While the 2014-2015 season has drawn to a close, rehearsals will begin again in the fall with the return of the winter residents. New singers are always welcome, so if you might be interested in joining the fun watch for future announcements from Web Admin or call a board member: Jim Ilten, president, at 520-876-9831; Connie Koza, VP/secretary, at 507-429-7936; Bill Srenaski, treasurer, at 952-451-4829.