The Phoebe Berks community continues to impress with its wide range of talented residents in their yearly Summertime Musicale show.
In this summer-tinged showcase of campus musical acts, the three-day event invites residents, family members, and staff to witness three distinct groups: The Phoebe Berks Quartet, The Phoebe Berks Tappers, and the Phoebe Berks Choraleers.
Resident Gene Aulenbach acted as the show’s Master of Ceremonies, thanking everyone for coming and introducing each act/song. Aulenbach also offered some insight into the background of specific tunes or artists.
The show began with the Phoebe Quartet, a piano ensemble armed with two grand pianos. The group played a five-song set that featured the expansive and complex “Pomp and Circumstance March” by Sir Edward Elgar and the light and elegant “The Joy of Spring” by Beatrice Miller. They ended their set with “Workin’ on the Railroad” by Eugenie Rocherolle, which had the entire auditorium singing along.
Next up were the Phoebe Berks Tappers. Under the direction of resident Philomena Huesgen, their section of the show featured many acts within itself. It began with a duo performance of seated tappers. Then, two more performances made up entirely of Phoebe staff followed. The “Elite” group of tappers closed the show in a rousing, casino-ready performance. Each act offered a different rhythmic flavor.
Last but not least, The Phoebe Choraleers took the stage. Made up of nearly 30 residents, the ensemble operates under the direction of resident Theresa Eaman. Their set was a bright and joyful mix of classics, ending with the hopeful “Let There be Peace on Earth.” The group sounded heavenly and had a great time performing, which was evidenced by their smiling faces.
The Summertime Musicale proved to be a fantastic way to honor the warm months ahead while bringing the community together in music.
To learn more about Phoebe Berks, please visit https://phoebe.org/communities/berks-community-page/.
Written by Dominic Trabosci