Upscale Singers Mark Two Decades of Harmony with Special Holiday Performances

Scottsdale’s Upscale Singers is set to mark a milestone: their 20-year anniversary as the city’s premier adult choir. This special occasion has become an anticipated highlight of the holiday season for many attendees, as expressed by the choir’s director, Margaret Miner. “Many have said that their holiday season doesn’t feel like it has started until they attend our concert each year, and that is very meaningful,” Miner noted. The choir aims to spread joy throughout the community.

The upcoming concert, titled “’Tis the 20th Season: Celebrating a Merry Milestone,” will take place at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center on Saturday, December 7, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, December 8, at 5 p.m. With tickets priced at $25 for adults and $10 for youths aged 18 and under, the event promises to be a memorable experience for all.

This year’s selection of songs has been carefully curated to enhance the celebratory atmosphere. Many cherished favorites will be performed, including pieces that have not been heard in over a decade, alongside fresh arrangements. Miner emphasized, “The music will touch hearts and bring smiles to faces.” The concert will feature a delightful mix of genres, including lighthearted moments, beautiful choruses, jazz, gospel, and captivating carol arrangements.

Among the highlights is a new arrangement of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” by Timothy Kile, which has quickly gained popularity within the choir. “It is so creative and hauntingly beautiful,” said Miner, who expressed excitement about other interesting and lovely pieces in the program.

This year introduces unique instrumentation as well, with saxophone, flute, and a newly added cello enriching the musical texture of the performance. “This will add so much beauty to many of the pieces,” Miner remarked.

The Upscale Kids’ segment of the concert will also captivate audiences with numbers like “It Feels Like Christmas” from “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and “Zat You Santa Claus?” Miner believes these performances will showcase the children’s singing and acting talents.

The choir has experienced notable growth in both audience and membership over the years, and a larger venue has enhanced this evolution. “The larger group has allowed us to pick music that calls for a bigger sound, and we can spread out more and fill up the stage,” Miner explained. This expansion adds an exciting dimension to their performances.

The Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, with its spacious stage, offers the choir creative freedom in their performances. “It’s so nice to not be tied down to standing in one place all the time, and no one ever hides behind a music folder at our concerts – the music is memorized,” Miner shared. This allows the concert to truly embody a holiday ‘show’ instead of a traditional performance.

As the holiday season approaches, the Upscale Singers will officially kick off the festivities on December 7 and 8, celebrating two decades of musical joy in the Scottsdale community.