LA GRANDE — Like flowers blooming in spring, the annual tradition of the Grande Ronde Community Choir’s spring performance is set for June 6 at 7:30 in McKenzie Theater at Eastern Oregon University.

Unlike the sweetness of spring’s blooms, though, this performance will unfold a note of sadness as Choir Director Michael Frasier steps down from the stage for the last time, handing over the baton to Daniel Durrell.

Frasier grew up in a family of singers in Vancouver, Washington, and graduated from Central Washington University in 1973. He then attended EOU and taught in the La Grande School District for 30 years. He was responsible for jump-starting the district’s musical theater program, which still continues today.

Frasier then taught at EOU for a number of years before becoming the director for GRCC, which was started under EOU’s Peter Wordelman. The choir is unique in that members of all ages and different backgrounds are welcome to join, no matter the experience.

Durrell, Frasier’s successor, also studied at EOU and became actively involved in the music department as both a pianist and a singer.

“Prior to the COVID pandemic, I had discussed with Daniel the idea of him serving as a student conductor,” Frasier said. “Then we shut down because of COVID. When I decided I was going to retire I asked the Grande Ronde Music Association board if we could bring Daniel on board to serve as my assistant and potentially my replacement. He has done a great job this year and the choir is excited to see what the future will bring.”

For this final performance, Frasier wanted the program to be fun.

“It will include some audience participation, and hopefully represent what I think a community choir should embody — a diverse group of people sharing their joy of singing with each other and the community at large,” he said. “(The concert will) showcase some of the individual talents of the choir, as well as an eclectic mix ranging from old folk songs to a couple songs from the ’60s and ’80s, (including) one with a seven-piece rock band accompaniment.”

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. on June 6 at EOU’s McKenzie Theater. There is no admittance fee, but donations are welcome.

Join

For those interested in joining GRCC, rehearsals are every Thursday at 7 p.m. in Loso Hall. No auditions are required. Contact the GRCC Facebook page for more information.