Student pop concert and much more, this weekend in Ocean City

Last Updated on Friday, 03 February 2012 12:18 Written by Claire Lowe Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:00

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City High School singers Rachel Heist, Alex Trout and Lauren Gray join area residents Sammie Wright, Nina Rodriquez, Keely and Shea DeMarco and Eric Wagner 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 as Fox Vocal Arts studio presents "The First Ever After-The-Holidays Holiday Concert."

 

The student performance, at the Ocean City Repertory Theater, 813 Asbury Ave., features David Gross’ group of studio pop singers performing current and classic tunes.

Nancy Fox is owner of Fox Vocal Arts Studio on Bay Avenue in Ocean City.

“This group of students … they are all the students of David Gross. He’s a coach here in the studio,” she said. “He’s the real deal.”

The eight students have all been involved with the studio for the past three years, at least, Fox said.

“This is a vocal arts studio, but we do teach drama and other skills,” Fox said.

Students can be classically trained singers or just coached in singing, she said.

“I have two teachers here who teach just singing,” Fox said.

Explaining that the difference between learning technique and receiving coaching, she compared the techniques of singing to that of writing: knowing the different parts of a sentence, grammar and punctuation. Techniques, she said, take a while to develop.

“Lots of kids just want to sing,” Fox said.

So the two coaches, including Gross, teach the students songs, skipping technique in favor of performance: singing from the heart.

“It’s just a different way of looking at it. Some people learn to sing very well that way. Other people don’t, but they have a wonderful time.”

Saturday’s performance is not an annual event for the studio. Fox said she likes to hold concerts like this when she feels her students are ready to perform.

“Mostly, I do it when I see a group of students is ready to do something,” she said.

The students will perform an hour-long show featuring pop songs.

“People have a chance to have lunch in downtown Ocean City … Then you just walk right down the street to the OC Repertory Theater,” she said. “This is one of the performances that is meant to bring attention to a bigger project.”

That project is the studio’s Operafest International. For the second year in a row, members of the studio will travel to Germany for two weeks in the spring to perform with students there.

“I started two years ago planning it. I went to Europe, found an organization to partner with me,” Fox said. “We will continue this in other countries, but we’re going to stay in Europe.”

Fox said the emphasis of the project is to build cultural relationships.

“We’re not going to third world countries. It’s not that kind of project. Instead, we’re going to small towns in Europe, so far in Germany, that are about the size of Ocean City.”

Last May, the American and German students performed together in Little Red Riding Hood.

“These kids that went made lasting friendships and they’re going back,” Fox said.

In October, the German students came to Ocean City for two weeks.

This June when they travel to Germany, the students will perform what Fox called “cowboy music from the 1940s” in both German and English.

From Saturday’s performance through May, the students will be performing in and out of the area to fundraise for their trip. The biggest fundraiser is Opera and Chocolate on May 23 at the Ocean City Yacht Club where guests will enjoy a chocolate buffet and the readers digest version of “The Marriage of Figaro,” as well as famous arias performed by Opera by the Sea.

Admission for Saturday’s performance is by donation to the Ocean City Repertory Theatre. For more information see www.foxvocalarts.com.

On Thursday, Feb. 2 the Repertory Theater presents an open mike night from 7-9 p.m. Perform or just listen, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or refreshments. A sign-up sheet is at the door and performers are scheduled on a first-come, first-play basis. Admission is $5. This event is sponsored by the 7^th Street Surf Shop. Call 457-6686.

A Valentine’s card party to benefit the Sisters of Christian Charity South American Missions will be held noon-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at St. Frances Cabrini Church, Culliney Hall, Second Street and Atlantic Avenue in Ocean City. Admission is $10. Light refreshments will be served. Bring a game of your choice and enjoy the fun. Contact Sr. Joelle at 399-2643 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Pat Crowley at 398-2882 for reservations.

Fairness In Taxes will hold a regular monthly meeting 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 in room N116 at the Ocean City Library, 17^th Street and Simpson Avenue. All are encouraged to attend. Call 398-6411 or see www.fairnessintaxes.com.

Ocean City Band boosters will host their annual Pasta Dinner 5-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at the high school cafeteria, 501 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. Takeout dinners will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by the instrumental groups of Ocean City High School including jazz band and jazz rock. Advance tickets are available from band members, or call 399-1290, ext. 1248. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Proceeds benefit Band Boosters senior scholarships.

Street and Simpson Avenue. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Call Tamara Carr at 399-2434 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Fill up before the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 5 with a pancake breakfast hosted by the American Legion Morvay-Miley Post 524 8 a.m.-noon at the post, 3304 Bay Ave. in Ocean City. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. All are welcome. All proceeds benefit veterans projects.

 

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