The Willow Oak Chorale
2024 Fall Semester Directed by James Story with Savannah Ambrose
From the Yellow Brick Road to Hitsville USA: The Magic of Motown & Oz
Back by popular demand, the Willow Oak Chorale is thrilled to present a program traveling the Yellow Brick Road from WICKED to THE WIZARD OF OZ and THE WIZ, Broadway’s three popular shows based on the tale of The Wizard of Oz.
We’ll be “Dancing in the Street” as we return to Hitsville USA with your Motown favorites! Hitsville USA is the birthplace of the world-famous Motown Sound where, from 1959 to 1972, Berry Gordy and Motown provided an opportunity for Detroit’s inner-city youth to reach their full potential and become superstars. “What Happens to the Broken Hearted,” “Heatwave,” and “I Can’t Help Myself” are a few of the hits you’ll enjoy from this era.
The Willow Oak Chorale, made up of adult & high school students, performs with orchestra twice a year. Its repertoire includes many genres: classical, Broadway, jazz, and popular to name a few. The Chorale has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City on two separate occasions.
We’re honored to have James Story as our conductor-in-residence. Well-known throughout the South as a choral clinician, James served as Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Volunteer State Community College, produced over 35 student-produced CD projects, and produced over 40 Christmas and Spring Music Showcases.
We’re grateful to have Savannah Ambrose as rehearsal conductor. She will prepare the chorale until James Story joins us in October. Savannah served as Music Director of the Springfield High School choral program from 2016 – 2023, after which she decided to become a fulltime mom to her two little girls. She and her husband Brenden teach lessons in voice, guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, and band instruments at their Ambrose Music Studio.
Fall Semester begins August 2024
- Rehearsals begin Tuesday, August 27 from 6:30 – 8 pm.
- Willow Oak, 301 5th Ave West (corner of 5th Ave & Oak St.)
- Adults & students in grades 7 – 12 are invited to join the Chorale.
- Tuition | Scholarships Available! Access the application here.
- Adults: $60
- Students: $30
- Performances November 15 & 16
New singers may call (615) 380-8071 to schedule an audition.
