Members of the Stanly County Chorale are busy rehearsing for their 2023 spring concerts.

The first performance will be at 7 p.m. April 1 in the sanctuary of Norwood First United Methodist Church, 208 Pee Dee Ave., Norwood.

A repeat performance is scheduled for 3 p.m. April 2 in the sanctuary of Albemarle First Baptist Church, 202 N. 2nd St., Albemarle.

Admission is free. Attendees are asked to bring at least one item of non-perishable food for donation to Stanly Community Christian Ministry.

The chorale’s concert, “Spring Has Sprung: A Musical Bouquet,” will be centered around all things associated with spring, even the bumblebees and baseball.

The “musical bouquet” will include guest musicians, including David Chandler on guitar, Carmella Hedrick on flute and baritone vocalist Joe Judge.

When asked about their favorite song on the program, several chorale members mentioned “Build Me Up Buttercup,” a popular song released in 1968 by the Foundations, which featured Colin Young on lead vocals. With the advent of an early spring this year, another piece frequently mentioned was “Flowers In Winter,” with text by John Greenleaf Whittier and music by John Purifoy.

The chorale is directed by Lisa Ewers. She received her bachelor’s degree in music from Pfeiffer College.

She directs music at Epworth UMC in Concord, plays clarinet in the Stanly County Concert Band and serves on the Uwharrie Players Board of Directors.

Zoey Brouthers is the chorale’s keyboard accompanist. She has a BA degree in piano performance from Appalachian State University and a MA degree in music theory from Bowling Green State University.

She teaches music theory and musicianship at Pfeiffer University and teaches private piano lessons in Cary.

The Stanly County Chorale is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by the Stanly County Arts Council.