Honing in on the focus of the local arts of Souderton, residents are preparing for the arrival of Concert Sundaes, a weekly event spanning from beginning of June to the beginning of August.
Hosted by the Indian Valley Arts Foundation, the event revolves around free concerts held by local artists and music groups.
Sponsored by various service groups and accompanied by an ice cream sundae bar from Nelson’s, the event is considered a community effort.
Kicking off the start of Concert Sundaes, the Souderton Men’s Alumni Chorus and the Indian Valley Middle School (IVMS) Select Choir will be performing during both halves of the event’s launch.
“The first Sunday, which is June 2 this year, is always kind of focused on the Souderton community,” IVMS Select Choir Director Diane Ramage said, “so instead of bringing in outside groups, they’ll do a school group or something like that.”
Through Ramage’s former choir teacher, John Leight, the IVMS Select Choir was invited to perform alongside the Men’s Chorus during the event. This being the Select Choir’s second year performing, students anticipate this to be an “exciting” event.
“I’m excited because we just get to add another song and welcome back the seniors and sing with seniors who did it in their 8th grade time,” IVMS Select Choir member Aisling Shelly said.
Accompanying the Select Choir, current seniors will be performing in remembrance of their spring concert.
Back in 2020, the IVMS Select Choir was forced to shut down their spring concert due to COVID-19.
Despite having held a virtual performance, the choir was unable to perform many of the songs that they had diligently worked for together.
According to Ramage, this particular group of students was special due to them receiving Indian Valley’s first win in the B101 Christmas Choir competition.
“There are a lot of very talented kids in the group,” Ramage said, “so I got this idea to invite them back.”
For the seniors participating in this year’s lineup, many are looking forward to this performance.
According to senior Zach Gross, he is excited at the prospect of being able to reconvene with his former teacher and classmates.
“I’m glad that we’ll be able to reminisce once again, reunite with Mrs. Ramage and see some of the new talent that’s going to be up and coming in the high school,” Gross said. “As a senior, I’m going to be leaving, so it’s exciting to see Souderton still is turning out a lot of talented and passionate people/singers.”
The Select Choir and the seniors will be collaborating on their performance of “Viva La Vida” and “Sisi Ni Moja.”
According to Ramage, she hopes that seeing the seniors perform will inspire the seventh and eighth graders and “bolster their enthusiasm”.
Having been around for decades, Sundaes in the Park has facilitated reunions within Souderton.
The summer event has reconnected and introduced many to the community.
Many recall the familiar atmosphere surrounded by family, friends and even former teachers.
“It truly is a great time for all ages,” Men’s Alumni Chorus member Kevin Shelly said. “My wife and I, we did Sundaes in the Park while we were dating, and we had just as much fun then as we do now bringing four kids on a Sunday night.”
The Men’s Alumni Chorus, directed by Leight, will be opening for the event.
Having performed at Concert Sundaes for over a decade, many have said that they are excited for the performance.
“Every time I [perform], I appreciate it,” Kevin said. “It’s really neat to be part of the community in a different aspect and to help provide some entertainment, and you know, to get people excited.”
“I mainly go for the ice cream,” sophomore Ciara Shelly said, “but watching my dad and sister perform is an added plus.”
Various other musicians and bands, including Zydeco-A-Go-Go (June 9) and The Allentown Band (July 7), are scheduled to perform this summer, as well.