American Songbook II: Hay Fever!

Music lovers and a cappella aficionados in Sacramento and surrounding communities will have a rare opportunity to experience world-class talent at an upcoming performance on Saturday, May 14th.

“The Great American Songbook II: Hay Fever!” will be a spectacular show featuring three renowned vocal groups.

The show will feature OC Times. In 2008, OC Times won the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Quartet Championship. They have been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Saturday Evening Post and SPIN magazine. The quartet is also featured prominently in an award-winning documentary film entitled “American Harmony.”

Their first studio album, “Let’s Fly” (2007), has reached critical acclaim, winning Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for both Best Barbershop Album and Best Barbershop Song. Their highly anticipated sophomore album “Destinations” (2010) was just released this past summer and has quickly become a fan favorite.

OC Times has toured extensively throughout the United States, headlining shows in venues such as Honolulu’s historic Hawaii Theater, Los Angeles'  Disney Concert Hall and the Lincoln Center in New York City. The quartet has also toured internationally with performances in Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Russia, and New Zealand. Upcoming engagements include regular performances throughout the US and a tour of Japan.

Also featured on the show is Lunch Break. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, Lunch Break has performed in the International Contest semifinals the past three years. Their clever comedy and impeccable level of performance are only exceeded by the sheer vocal talent this group possesses. This is Lunch Break’s west coast debut performance.

The American River Chorus is producing the show, the second annual performance for this dynamic group. Formed in January of 2010, this chorus has grown from 10 members to 93 members in only 14 months. The chorus has already impressed members of the a cappella community, taking first place in the recent Far Western District, Northeastern California Division chorus contest. In addition coming from the Sacramento area, members travel from as far away as Palo Alto, Merced, Chico and even Reno to be a part of this exciting new ensemble. Members’ ages range from 16 to 75. Many of them are students at local Sacramento area colleges.

The driving force behind this enthusiastic chorus is their director, GABE CARETTO. Formally trained in music at the University of Oregon, Caretto has directed choral ensembles throughout the West Coast and is a highly sought-after clinician for youth vocal workshops and harmony camps. Caretto has served in a variety of leadership positions and educational roles for the Barbershop Harmony Society, including serving as a faculty member at the prestigious Harmony University. World-renowned clinician and choreographer CINDY HANSEN has designed the presentation package for the show and has worked closely with Caretto to transform his vision into an experience for the audience like no other. This will indeed be a spectacular performance – a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the best that a cappella music has to offer.

Show Times :   2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Location:    Hiram Johnson High School Theater, 6879 14th Ave., Sacramento, CA 95819

Please note that tickets are no longer available for purchase online.  However, tickets will be available at the door.

Ticket Prices:

• VIP Section                  $35.00         (Note: Evening VIP tickets are sold out, but call the 800 number for more info.)
• General Admission      $20.00
• Student                         $10.00       (Matinee Only)
• Groups:
  • Group of 10 - 19     $18.00       (See Note below)
  • Group of 20+          $15.00       (See Note below)

Note: Group discounts are not available for tickets bought online. Call (800) 385-3659 to purchase General Admission tickets at group rates.  Each section is open seating.  No reserved seats.

Have questions or want more information? Click here to send us an email message, or call (800) 385-3659.