Conceived by Rus Peotter, General Manager of WGBY-TV, Together in Song was envisioned as a series to showcase the choral talents of singers throughout western New England. It is a robust competition which consists of studio performances followed by a weekend awards show that will be broadcast live from the WGBY studios in downtown Springfield, MA on April 27th. Categories this year are Elementary/Middle School, High School, College, Adult Classical and Adult Non-Classical. Winners are determined by a panel of judges as well as online votes.
We are grateful to our Advisory Committee for helping us bring Rus’ vision to fruition.
WGBY is proud to bring programs like this to our region. But we can only do so with the support of viewers like you.
- What is Together in Song?
This local production is by far WGBY’s most ambitious annual televised series, as it involves over 1,000 amateur performers of all ages. Regional choral groups submit performance clips as a way to enter into the series. Once chosen, participants head to WGBY’s studios in Springfield to tape their show segment. The series is hosted by Kevin Rhodes, Music Director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and is broadcast each March. Viewers and judges vote for their favorite groups throughout the season. The top performers get to appear LIVE during the Together in Song Showcase toward the end of April. NEW THIS YEAR! The group that receives the most votes wins a 30-minute TV program on WGBY. Free!
- How Does It Work?
- All participants submit a demo to WGBY to enter Together In Song every September through November. Groups are then selected to proceed to the studio tapings each January.
- All groups then compete during the series from March to April and the top candidates in each category go on to the Together In Song Regional Awards in April. In this phase, groups are judged by 7 choral judges and popular votes are added into this formula as well. Categories this year are: Elementary/Middle School, High School, College, Adult Classical and Adult Non-Classical.
- The finalists will perform LIVE on the Together in Song Regional Choral Awards on April 27 when the winner will be chosen by some mysterious means yet to be divulged!
- NEW THIS YEAR! The top group of the season wins a free, 30-minute TV recording at WGBY to be broadcast in the future!
- Together in Song’s Advisory Committee
- Rus Peotter
- Kathleen Rhine
- Terry Larsen
- Linda McInerney
- Anita Cooper
- Helen Barrington
- Wayne Abercrombie
- K.C. Conlan
- Vera Baker
- Kayla Werlin
- Loise Chase
- Leah Kunkel
- Mark Todd
- Tony Lechner
- Audrey Szychulski
- Marie Waechter
- Carey Larsen
- Lynn Page
- Marla Zippay
We would also like to thank our semi finalist judge’s panel who helped select finalists in each category.
Additional thanks go to Mark Todd of Holyoke High School for loaning us choral risers. And a final thanks to Joseph Partyka for his generous donation of our studio piano.
- Judging Criteria
View a sample of the judging criteria used to select the semifinalists, along with your online votes.
- Go Behind the Scenes of Together in Song
Get an inside look at how this ambitious celebration of choral music makes it to your television on our Behind the Scenes Page.
