Choir Will Perform Classic Rock Songs During Free Concert on Town Green

Rock classics by Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Toto, Queen, Ozzy Osborn and others will be heard during a free Concert Choir performance that was inspired by another classic musician who “rocked” the music world with his talent: Ludwig von Beethoven.

CDs of the choir’s recent concert at Yale’s Woolsey Hall, titled will be available during the event. Proceeds from sales of the $20-CDs will benefit the ’s Basic Needs Program.

“We’re trying to give back to the town,” said choir director . She recalled that after she and a group of students returned from performing in Europe two years ago, there were lingering trip-related expenses that needed to be paid. Local residents who wanted to help sent donations.

“I was so amazed that people in Branford just started to send money to us without us even asking,” said Roding. To show their appreciation, Roding and choir members organized the Woolsey Hall concert to help one of Branford’s most invaluable nonprofits.

“The idea was to teach the students they could use their passion, which is music, to do good for others,” Roding said.

Roding, who in the classroom strives to link classical and modern musical elements, also wanted the performance to relate to the students’ music education. The May 1 concert featured Beethoven’s Mass in C during one half and modern rock songs during the other.

“The goal was to try to raise $25,000 for the counseling center, which was pretty ambitious,” said Bill O’Brien. About 1,500 people bought tickets – set at $15 and discounted at half price for senior citizens – and almost $20,000 was raised through sponsorships by organizations such as the , and United Way of Greater New Haven, said O’Brien. Still, he noted, production expenses needed to be paid. Costs included hall rental, hiring musicians and an arranger and recording the CD.

“The idea was to get these CDs done as soon as we possibly can and get them available for sale,” said O’Brien. “We want to finish this project. We need to sell approximately 800 CDs at $20 a piece in order to achieve the balance of our goal of what we want to give the counseling center.”

“Obviously this is a fantastic project,” said Branford Counseling Center Director Patricia Andriole, “because it not only presents a wonderful concert free to the people of Branford and outside of Branford, but it’s going to be bringing money into the counseling center’s Basic Needs Program.”

The program provides emergency help with food, rent payments, mortgages, money for gas to get to work and other necessities, said Andriole.

“What I love about [the choir project] also is that the kids - the choir members – have become very involved in it,” added Andriole. “The project teaches young people about volunteering. This concert just has so many good things in one night.”

An attempt to recreate parts of the Woolsey Hall performance during the Branford Festival was rained out. The Aug.12 concert will give residents a second chance to experience it, said O’Brien.

“The stage is all set up. All you have to do is bring your chair, bring your cooler and come on down and enjoy,” he said. And, he added, the CD will be available for those who want a keepsake.

“It’ll be like a big CD release party,” said Roding.

The Aug. 12 concert will take place 6:30 to 8 p.m. The rain date is Aug. 13.