The Pontiac-Waterford Big Chief Chorus is coming to Clarkston High School to perform their annual show.
The chorus is set to showcase “The Ed Sullivan Show,” on Saturday, November 8 in the Clarkston High School auditorium. The performance will attempt to capture highlights from the long-running television show of the 1950s and 60s. All entertainers will be portrayed by members of the chorus resulting in funny spoofs and goofs due to their poor memories.
The theme was thought up by former director Chris Miller, who sadly died recently at the age of 52.
“We are going to commemorate the show to him,” Clarkston resident and chorus member Walt DeNio said. “We are all saddened. He was a great guy.”
A special highlight of the show will be the appearance of the 2003 International Champion Barbershop Quartet, Power Play. The quartet, from Macomb County, consists of three generations of men from the same family.
“They have quite the reputation and now they are the worldwide champions,” DeNio said. “We hope to fill up the auditorium.”
Last year, when the chorus performed alone, 800 people enjoyed the show. The group is looking to sell out the 1,000 seat auditorium this year.
The group has a lot of history in the area. The chapter was started by a small group of employees at the General Motors Engineering Building. Men used to gather during lunch in the lobby and sing old songs. They learned to harmonize by ear and eventually recruited the necessary 20 members to form a chapter. They were granted that charter on April 17, 1943. The group was formerly known as the Merry Motormen, but was renamed the Big Chief Chorus in 1998.
Bill Pascher, one of the original founding members, is still active after 60 years and sings with the group every week.
DeNio has only been a member since 1997, but enjoys it nonetheless.
“One of my friends invited me into the group and I have been hooked ever since,” DeNio said. “There were only about 15 members when I joined. We have grown a lot in the past few years.”
In addition to their annual show the group also holds Christmas season concerts at The Summit Place Mall and offers singing valentines throughout the Oakland County area giving those being serenaded a flower and a photograph to remember the special occasion.
“We are a not for profit organization and we spend time visiting nursing homes and senior centers as well as businesses in the community over the holiday season. We are often called upon by various groups and individuals throughout the community to perform at various functions,” DeRio said.
Clarkston members in addition to DeNio include Bill Auquier, Walt Bachmann, Neil Braun, Tom Ford, Jan Graham, Roger Holm, Al Monroe, Art Ripley, Dennis Robinson and Jeff Spires.
The show is open to the public and $15 tickets may be obtained by calling Jim Owens at (248) 682-4311. The event is set for November 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clarkston High School auditorium.