THE DICKINSON COUNTY Community Chorus prepares for its annual “Music Under the Stars” concert set for Sunday. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the band shell at Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain. This year’s musical selections come from the “The Great American Songbook,” including gospel, jazz standards, folk, patriotic and Broadway. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Dickinson County Community Chorus will celebrate “The Great American Songbook” at its annual “Music Under the Stars” on Sunday.

The concert, featuring gospel, jazz standards, folk, patriotic and Broadway selections, will begin at 7 p.m. at the band shell at Lake Antoine Park in Iron Mountain.

“We have planned an outstanding selection of music that will be exciting for singers and audience alike,” DCCC Principal Conductor Crystal Hogan said. “The songs are catchy and familiar and will invite you to hum and sing along.”

With the passing of Tony Bennett in July of last year, the group aimed to honor his life and the power of music for this summer’s concert theme. In February 2021, Bennett revealed he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. He kept singing, and singing kept him going.

DCCC will feature some of the songs he performed with Lady Gaga and the music of Michael Buble.

“Perfectly Frank” is a 1992 album Bennett recorded as a tribute to longtime friend Frank Sinatra. The many duet albums with the younger generations of performers was his genius in helping keep the standards of “The Great American Songbook” alive.

Hogan will direct the summer concert, accompanied by Jan Van Gasse and Sandy Sullivan on piano. Dawn Kranz and Jeremiah Garrigues-Cortelyou will assist with ensembles and Kranz will conduct the children’s chorus.

Instrumentalists include Josh March on bass, Logan O’Brion on drums and Jason Ocasio on guitar.

The concert will conclude with brass instruments on the final number.

When not singing on stage, the children’s chorus will walk through the crowd selling popcorn and bottled water.

All donations will go to Lake Antoine Park improvements as well as Alzheimer’s research in honor of loved ones and friends who suffered from dementia in one form or another.

Attendees are reminded to bring chairs.

In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the First Presbyterian Church, 395 Hamilton Ave. in Kingsford. The concert will begin at 7:15 p.m. to allow time to get to the alternative location.

The chorus will also provide music at the morning church service that day at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford, to thank the church for letting them rehearse in their facilities.

For information and updates, go to www.communitychorus.org.