The Birmingham Musicale prepares for upcoming performance

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Musicale will perform “With a Song in My Heart” 1 p.m. Feb. 8 at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple Road in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Musicale Productions Ensemble will perform songs of Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart.

The Birmingham Musicale was founded in 1926 by a group of women who loved music. However, the organization now includes men.

“When it started, it was a group of women who just loved music and wanted to promote music and give out awards and bring out music into the community for everyone to hear,” Birmingham Musicale President Beatrice Wassenberg said.

They are affiliated with the Michigan Federation of Music Clubs and the National Federation of Music Clubs. They are a sponsor of Oakland University MFMC Membership Dues, Spectrum Orchestra, Redford Symphony and Royal Oak Symphony.

As an organization, its mission statement includes developing the musical talents of its members, performing local private and public concerts, fostering musical talents in young people and promoting community service. They are a charity organization.

“It’s a very worthy organization, because our main focus is to give money to young singers and to support their endeavors and feature them in concert,” First Vice President  Bonnie L. Brooks said.

Several ensembles make up The Birmingham Musicale, including The Birmingham Musicale Choral Ensemble, The Birmingham Musicale String Ensemble and The Musicale Productions Ensemble.

The Birmingham Musicale participates in community outreach throughout the year, including performing for schools and local venues. Members of the Birmingham Musicale String Ensemble, the Music Therapy Ensemble, Rainbow Rhythms, solo performers and the Music in Schools Ensemble are involved in the Birmingham Musicale’s outreach efforts.

After their February performance, their next one will be March 17 at University Presbyterian Church, 1385 S. Adams Road in Rochester Hills. That will be followed by another performance at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer April 11.

More information can be found at thebirminghammusicale.org.