Music from the Big Band era, swinging 40's, early rock and roll, and the 1990s into the 2000s rocked the sanctuary walls of the First Presbyterian Church, Newhall (First Pres) for two hours on June 8.

The third annual spring musical concert opened with two couples twirling the dial on a big wooden radio. As they were turning the knob, they found one of their favorite Big Band songs, and one couple ran out to get their friends.

To the lively tune "In the Mood," the First Presbyterian Newhall Chancel Choir and the Ojai Community Chorus danced onto the stage.

Seamlessly, the two groups of singers and the Ojai Big Band, who were already on stage, performed a string of numbers written by Duke Ellington to "Someone Watch Over Me" from the musical "Oh, Kay."

For 30 minutes, the band and singers recreated the sounds of the Big Bands, from the Andrews Sisters to Benny Goodman's band in "Stompin' At the Savoy."

Many people in the audience were taken back in time, and as Jacquie Skelley stated, "I sat in my seat, holding my husband's hands, and danced to the music. It brought back memories, and it was the best time I have had at church."

When the Newhall Pres Contemporary Christian Band took the stage,it changed the musical era to the 1970s through the 1990s.

From Wings to Sting, the band blew through 25years of rock and roll. Each song had its own story and history, but the highlight of the band's performance was a soulful rendition of "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" by Alicia Richardson, a woman with an exceptional voice. For minutes after her performance, the memory of her voice kept the audience captive.

Living up to the concert's billing, the musical artists continued to rock, jive, and wail during the second half of the concert. The Newhall Pres contemporary Christian Band gave their own renditions of rock and roll favorites, including a moving song, originally sung by Judy Collins in 1967, named "Both Sides Now."

Richardson gave this song a new twist that delighted the audience.

The First Presbyterian Newhall Chancel Choir, the Ojai Community Chorus and the Ojai Big Band featured more Duke Ellington songs in their second set, but they also gave a rousing rendition of Cole Porter song "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye."

The Newhall Pres Hand Bell Choir played the theme music for the movie "Pink Panther."

During the first part of the year, initial plans for a spring concert were discussed within the Worship Committee and the three musical groups of the church-choir, second service band, and bell choir.

According to Jack Irwin, the show's producer and an elder at First Pres, the idea of a swing concert at the church was first proposed by Connie Woodson, choir director of the First Presbyterian Newhall Chancel Choir.

Irwin explained that Woodson was already doing a swing concert in Ojai, and she wanted to do another one at First Pres. He stated that Woodson decided to do many of the same songs, and this naturally flowed into the idea of combining the Ojai Community Chorus with the chancel choir.

Irwin stated that Woodson then wanted to use the Ojai Big Band in the concert since this band already knew the music and played in the Ojai concert.

"She brought these ideas to the Worship Committee and a number of other church members. I was involved because I am a member of the choir and an elder," Irwin said. "We liked them. We wanted more than a run-of-the mill musical show. We wanted more than 12 singers and the church band playing to the peanut gallery. Connie's idea to include her chorus and the Ojai Big Band in the concert was what we wanted."

The spring concert was under the sponsorship of the Worship Committee, but it was shaped by the three musical directors: Woodson, Sam Besse and Ryan Root.

Irwin tied the songs into a whole production, but each musical director picked the songs to be included in the concert.

Irwin noted that the three church groups set separate practices. Woodson stated the choir practiced once a week since March, and the last three weeks the choir practiced six times.

The last practice was a dress rehearsal because Woodson wanted the band and chorus from Ojai to practice once with the church choir.

"We all played together in the sanctuary for four hours on the Thursday night before the concert. This was the only time before the concert the three groups practiced together. We brought everything together-lights, sound and the music-for the concert that night," Irwin explained. "The Newhall Pres Hand Bell Choir and Newhall Pres Contemporary Christian Band were not at the dress rehearsal because they did not have to meld three groups together in one night. It was great."

After the concert, the audience had only praises for the show. Plans are already being made to top this show according to Irwin.

Irwin explained that by putting on this concert the people in charge of the production they have the ability to put on a good concert.

Skelley summed it up when she stated, "It was worth the money."