Show choirs share the glee

Burbank’s two national championship show choirs will strut their stuff together for the first time in a public show Saturday night to raise funds in support of local visual and performing arts education.

Burbank High School’s In Sync will join Burroughs’ Powerhouse in the “All American Show Choir Super Show” at the Starlight Bowl. There will be pre-concert events beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the main attraction starting at 7 p.m.

The event celebrates Burbank’s Centennial Anniversary of its incorporation while raising funds for the Burbank Arts for All Foundation, whose mission is to ensure every student in Burbank public schools has access to a quality visual and performing arts education as part of their core curriculum.

The show was the idea of Craig Murray, one of the two executive producers and chairman of the Arts for All Foundation Board, and Kevin McCarney, a Burroughs choir parent who also sits on the foundation’s board.

The two were sitting at a baccalaureate ceremony and thought it would be great to see both choirs combine efforts in a performance, Murray said. In Sync is Burbank High’s advanced mixed choir and Powerhouse is Burroughs’ counterpart. The choirs served as the inspiration for the hit award winning television series “Glee.”

“When these two choirs get together, it has to be the finest vocal music group in the nation,” Murray said. “They are ranked nationally in the top five every year; when they get together it gives you chills.”

Also in the program will be the advanced girl’s choir from each school, along with solo and ensemble-style performances. In tribute to the TV show “Glee,” the host will be Dot-Marie Jones, who portrays Coach Beiste on “Glee.” Also attending will be Susan Egan who performed the role of Belle in the original Broadway cast of “Beauty and the Beast” and Meg in the Disney animated feature “Hercules.” She will be performing a song from that movie with performers from each of the schools.

Pre-show entertainment begins as the gates open at 5:30 p.m. with music by the Burbank High School jazz bands. Then a Burbank Rocks early bird concert will feature bands from Burbank at 6 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the two choir programs and help pay expenses of musicians and choreographers in putting this special show on, Murray said. Burbank Arts for All Foundation will use the proceeds to support ongoing efforts to fund visual and performing arts educational programs in every Burbank public school.

In the last three years, the foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to various school programs, he added.

Tickets are $12; VIP reserved super select seating is $25; and VIP box seats of four are $200. They can be purchased at Starlightbowl.com.