— The echo and harmonious voices of members of the West Central Connection Chorus could be heard backstage at the Willmar Education and Arts Center as the group warmed up for its concert Saturday.
Director Todd Mattison gave his singers some last words of encouragement before Saturday’s performance began. He told the men to make audience members feel like they paid $30 for their $15 tickets.
The Echoes of America concert was a musical celebration ringing in America’s 250th anniversary with some of its most well-known songs.
Performances included American standards like “You’re A Grand Old Flag” and songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Come Fly with Me” and others that topped the American charts over the 20th century.
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
The audience was invited to participate during the performance of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” toward the end of the West Central Connection Chorus’ set, as “bah bah bah” and calls of “so good, so good” rattled off the auditorium walls.
The concert Saturday evening included special guest performances from quartets Three Young Guys and Sound Image, each comprised of West Central Connection Chorus members, and Litchfield High School’s Dragonaires.
The evening was capped off with a special performance from First Take, an a cappella barbershop quartet whose members were the 2024 Barbershop Harmony Society International silver medalists.
The West Central Connection Chorus invites those with a love for music and singing to join them. The men’s a capella group rehearses Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Sunshine Room at the Willmar Community Center.
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
Dale Morin / West Central Tribune
