OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City’s resident choir, The Canterbury Voices, is inviting audiences to a special night of music and celebration with “On Broadway,” a one-night only performance of some of theatre’s most recognizable and memorable musical numbers.
“On Broadway” will feature works from composers Leonard Bernstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, and more, and audiences can look forward to classic numbers from “The Sound of Music,” “Carousel,” “The King and I,” “Les Misérables,” and “Into the Woods,” alongside songs from even the most recent shows to grace New York stages.
“Canterbury strives to perform the highest quality of representative choral literature from throughout the ages,” Canterbury Voices Artistic Director Dr. Julie Yu said in a statement. “Musical Theatre is such a vibrant, thriving artform, truly embraced and led by American creators and performers. You’ll hear classics, Broadway revivals, and contemporary shows, currently running on Broadway. You’ll experience the gamut of emotions — from pure joy and laughter to intense contemplation, and everything in between.”
Marketing Director Kelly Moore, who sings with the choir, spoke with Free Press about the upcoming event.
“I’m a classically-trained musician, but there’s an emotional pull to the music of the theatre – it has such a large audience,” he said. “The music of Broadway is so compelling and so many people love it. I’m excited to sing these classic choruses, some of which I’ve heard for decades but never had the chance to perform on such a grand scale. I’m most excited to sing the music of ‘Les Misérables’!“
The complexity of Broadway music is part of the appeal, Moore said, and part of its endurance and longevity.
“When you listen to a song long enough, you think you know it, but when you start to break it down and really learn it, you discover how nuanced and complex it truly is,” he explained. “Composers like Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein were masters of their craft, and this music is not easy.”
Founded in 1969, Canterbury Voices has remained an integral part of the thriving arts scene in Oklahoma for over five decades. As the resident vocal company, the choir partners with arts organizations like the OKC Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra.
“Canterbury really relishes the opportunities we have to collaborate with OKC arts organizations like the OKC Ballet and Lyric Theatre,” Moore said. “We have something truly special here in OKC with the openness and eagerness to collaborate with one another.”
Notable moments throughout the company’s storied history include when the choir performed for President Bill Clinton, Governor Frank Keating, and Reverend Billy Graham. In the wake of the 1995 Oklahoma City Murrah Building bombing, a special service titled “A Time of Healing” was held at the OKC Fairgrounds. The company performed again in 2021 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the bombing.
In 2022, the choir performed with Andrea Bocelli and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic during his North American tour stop at the Paycom Center, and in 2024, the company premiered “Loksi’ Shaali (Shell Shaker)” by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, the first opera written entirely in the Chickasaw language.
Dr. Julie Yu was named Artistic Director in 2023.
“On Broadway,” presented by Canterbury Voices, runs for one night only, March 21st, 2026 at 7:30 PM, at Civic Center Music Hall.
Following the performance on March 21st, Canterbury Voices continues their 25/26 season offerings with “Crescendo!” on May 14th at 7:00 PM. “Crescendo!” is presented in a smaller setting, inside the Civic Center Little Theatre. This special event is back by popular demand from previous years and provides patrons with a chance to experience their favorite choir in an intimate venue, offering a unique and rare chance to become immersed in the performance.
Tickets are on sale for all remaining performances of the season. Visit canterburyokc.com for more.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
