The Robson Ranch Singers rehearse on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. in the Hermosa Ballroom each year from October through April. Photo credit Charlene Rule
Musical Director Jacquie Fedie (left) and members of the Robson Ranch Singers board of directors for 2016-17: Bill Srenaski, Connie Koza and John Horak. Photo credit Charlene Rule
At the Singers’ spring concert in March, the men performed a medley of tunes made famous by Johnny Cash. Photo credit Marv Enerson
Former accompanist Sandy Kantrud received a gift card and commemorative plaque in recognition of her seven years of selfless dedication to the musical advancement of the Robson Ranch Singers. Photo credit Charlene Rule
Carol Ilten
On Monday and Tuesday evenings, March 21 and 22, the Robson Ranch Singers presented their annual spring concert in the Hermosa Ballroom before approximately 380 residents and guests. The show entitled An American Musical Journey with narration provided by John Horak included a lineup of show tunes: folk, country, spiritual and patriotic songs and assorted music from the 50s and 60s.
Featured on the program were several soloists and ensembles. Patricia Ambrose sang Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy accompanied on the guitar by John Sutton; Doug Culpepper sang Home to Stay accompanied on the piano by Lisa Hunt; and Julie Casey and Lisa Hunt sang California Dreamin’ accompanied on the guitar by Connie Koza and on piano by Ginny Lewis.
The men of the Robson Singers performed a medley of Johnny Cash songs that included I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire and Ghost Riders in the Sky. Former accompanist Sandy Kantrud entertained the audience with a piano solo entitled Theme from The Apartment.
A highlight of this musical journey featured the official 2012 Arizona Centennial Song I Love You, Arizona written and popularized by Rex Allen, Jr. and sung by the Robson Singers while beautiful photographs of local landscapes and landmarks were projected behind them on screen, courtesy of Jeff Ottle.
In the six years since its modest beginnings in the homes of Phyllis Davis and Sandy Kantrud, the Robson Ranch Singers has grown in size each year from its original nine to around 60 members. Sue Hart was instrumental in getting the group started. Phyllis was the initial director and Sandy was full-time accompanist until she retired in February 2016 after seven years of devoted service. Jacquie Fedie became musical director in February 2013 when Phyllis retired, and the group continued to grow. The Singers want to extend a special thank you to these fine artists for sharing their time and talents with the group and the community.
The Singers’ 2015-16 season has drawn to a close, but rehearsals will begin again in late October with the return of the winter residents. New singers are welcomed, so if you are interested in joining the group this fall, watch for future announcements in a Web Blast or call one of the following board members: John Horak at 520-876-9468; Connie Koza at 507-429-7936; or Bill Srenaski at 952-451-4829.