Highly anticipated ensemble Street Corner Symphony (SCS) was seen the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 24 before a crowd full of fans at Keokuk’s Grand Theater downtown. The showcase was made possible through arrangement via Keokuk Concert Association, as part of their 98th season.
Admirers of all ages were treated to a phenomenal performance by the musicians, who did so completely a cappella (well, almost completely, as there were a few renditions incorporating kazoos). Ready to educate as well as entertain, SCS announced a new meaning for Latin word a cappella, joking that it meant “cannot afford instruments.” Athough these guys tried to be modest about only having their voices to work with, experiencing what they were able to fashion together was fantastic.
At one point between song sets, members crossed their legs and sat down on the stage for a "storytime" divulged from an original founding member about an unheard of ensemble transforming into something more extraordinary. This member, Mark McLemore, shares a birthday on May 28 with what coincidentally is also the birthday of SCS. He said they started out with former members Richard and Jeremy Lister.
Explaining they were “a bunch of white guys” performing gospel (though the group is now much more multicultural) but not yet famous, they were informed of the TV show Sing Off and were encouraged to audition. Next describing the casting process before they were allowed to compete on TV, initial reviewers enjoyed their so.
