The Motor City Chorale, a beloved community choir with deep roots in Detroit’s history, is set to perform its highly anticipated spring concert, “A Spectrum of Colors,” next month.

The performance promises an evening filled with music that spans genres and generations, all tied together by a colorful theme. It’s set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11 at the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 1315 N. Pine St., Rochester.

For 90 years, the Motor City Chorale has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s choral scene.

“The roots of the group go back to about 1933,” said Director Eric Miller, who has led the chorale since 2015. “It was originally the General Motors Employees Chorus, part of a tradition where industrial companies formed choruses for their employees. When GM stopped funding these groups in 1978, our board petitioned to keep the name, and we remained the GM Employees Chorus until about a decade ago when we became the Motor City Chorale.”

Board members and longtime choir participants Rob and Mary Lynn Bertetto have been part of the group for 15 years.

“We actually joined after participating in the Grosse Pointe Theater group,” Mary Lynn said. “We heard about the choir, and when Eric took over, about 10 of us decided to join. It’s been a fantastic experience ever since.”

Each year, the Motor City Chorale presents two major concerts—one in December featuring holiday music and another in the spring, often with a unique theme — with other smaller performances throughout the year. This year’s spring theme, “A Spectrum of Colors,” ensures that every song in the program includes a color in its title.

“We’re opening with Irving Berlin’s ‘Blue Skies,’ a really cool swing jazz arrangement,” Miller shared. “We’re also performing Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold,’ ‘Black and White’ by Three Dog Night, and ‘Evergreen’ from ‘A Star Is Born.’ One of the craziest numbers the men’s section will perform is Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs’ ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’”

Choir President Stephanie Capps emphasized the collaborative nature of the song selection process.

“We try to keep things fresh by avoiding songs we’ve performed in the last five years — though a few fan favorites make their way back,” she said. “We go through suggestions and make choices about what goes together: What might be a good first half, second half kind of thing, and then they make the decisions from there.”

The Motor City Chorale is not just about performance — it’s about community. The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing and no audition is required.

“If you like to sing, come and join us,” encouraged Rob Bertetto. “We usually keep the first few rehearsals open for new members and they can decide if it’s the right fit for them.”

In addition to their seasonal concerts, the choir performs at senior and assisted living facilities, offering music that brings joy and nostalgia to residents.

“Singing at nursing homes is always a moving experience,” Capps said. “People remember songs from their childhood or church and they light up when they hear them. We also take time to sit with them afterward. It’s about more than just the music.”

The chorale also supports charitable causes, collecting donations and giving back to the community.

“Our public concerts are free, and we collect goodwill offerings to keep the choir going and support charities,” Capps said.

This will be the fourth time the Motor City Chorale has performed at First Congregational Church in Rochester, a partnership that has grown stronger over the years.

“We’re delighted to host them,” said Barbara MacGregor, a representative from the church. “Their concerts are always packed, often standing-room only. It’s a testament to their talent and the joy they bring.”

The choir’s camaraderie extends beyond rehearsals and performances.

“It’s more than just a choir; it’s a family,” Mary Lynn Bertetto said. “Most of our friends are in the group, and we have social events outside of rehearsals, like summer picnics. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected and keep our love of music alive.”

The April “Spectrum of Colors” concert is free and open to the public, with a goodwill offering collected during intermission.

For more information about the Motor City Chorale and their upcoming performances, visit motorcitychorale.com.