In Choro Novo prepares to close out season of song

Since 1994, members of In Choro Novo have been entertaining audiences with an eclectic mix of music.

“We do a mix of music, from jazz to gospel to early madrigals to contemporary and classical. That is what makes the group an interesting group,” said Therese Provenzano, founder and music director. “Many groups do one specific style; we do all different styles.”

In recent weeks, the chorus has been busy preparing for their final concert of the season, on May 2, at First Parish Church in Weston.

The lineup will include Mozart’s “Regina Coeli;” “Mack the Knife” by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht; gospel pieces “Little Innocent Lamb” and “How Long,” and “The Joint is Jumpin’” by Fats Waller. The concert will end with fan favorite, “The Irish Blessing.”

“This is a great group of people that really work hard to reach a high standard of singing and have a blast doing it and a great, great group of people that take on all of the … things that a board has to take care of,” Provenzano said.

In Choro Novo means In New Choir, and although the group is no longer new, it has not changed much since those early days, said Suzanne Fisher, founding member and publicity director.

“It’s very similar to what it was when we started out. We sing at the local assisted living facilities. We do several concerts per season and then we usually have our big concert on the Boston University campus at Marsh Chapel. Recently though we’ve been having our spring concert out in the Weston suburbs,” she said.

Every year, In Choro Novo sings the National Anthem at a Celtics and a Red Sox game.

“We’ve had the opportunity over the years to usually sing at one Celtics and one Red Sox game [a year] and that is really a lot of fun,” said chorus member and director of logistics, Patrese Pierson.

Outreach is also part of their repertoire, and the chorus often performs carols at hospitals in and around Boston and at Fenway Park during their Christmas events.

“We do a lot of different outreach things. For me it’s really important to give back,” said Provenzano.

Singers must audition for a spot in the choir and Pierson said anyone who wants to join should be prepared to sing a piece of their choice.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to make high quality music together and making music with other people is just very gratifying,” Pierson said.

Although Provenzano, Fisher and Pierson enjoy just about everything the group performs, there are some standouts.

Provenzano pointed to Mozart and jazz standards but added she counts many songs as favorites.

“I really enjoy the different styles. That is kind of my thing [and] that is part of what keeps this group going. We do such a mix of music that a lot of places want us because we don’t just do one style,” Provenzano said.

Fisher especially enjoys the pops and vocal jazz songs and says she is having fun with “The Joint is Jumpin,” which the chorus will sing at the May concert.

“It’s a lot of fun. It was written during prohibition so it’s all about getting arrested,” she said.

Pierson said, “whatever [she’s] singing” is her favorite.

“I like a lot of it. It’s fun to do some of The King’s Singers arrangements because I’ve always been a King’s Singers fan. It’s fun to do spirituals. It’s fun to do some of the old big-band music that I remember my parents loving. I just like to sing,” she said.

No matter what they sing, Fisher is confident the concert will be a hit.

“I don’t know what it is but whenever we have our big concert … everything just seems to gel at that concert. We could have a terrible dress rehearsal, and the concert will be amazing. It always seems to come together right at that concert,” she said.

If you go

Spring concert by In Choro Novo

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2

WHERE: First Parish Church, 349 Boston Post Road, Weston

TICKETS: General admission tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door

INFO: inchoronovo.org