Drinking songs

‘Choir on Tap’ makes a joyful noise at Welltown Brewing

Beer and song have a long and raucous history together. From “Drunken Sailor” to “Turn Down for What,” there’s something about getting hammered that just begs for musical accompaniment. Considering the long history of song and drink, the Vox Solaris Chamber Choir’s ‘Choir on Tap’ event at Welltown Brewing is a match made in heaven.

“Choir concerts don’t typically fit with a brewery” said Vox Solaris conductor Jeffery Wall. “But public singing and harmonizing has been a part of beer culture for centuries, and we hope to marry the two.”

Wall co-founded the ensemble with Justin Rosser, director of vocal music at Broken Arrow High School. “We had a conversation about what we thought was missing in the Tulsa/BA arts scene … I put out the call and people responded,” he said. “The choir is made up of folks from all walks of life: music educators, music professionals, church musicians, and sometimes those that just miss singing at a higher level of artistry.”

The Choir will perform at Welltown Brewing for a uniquely ethereal and boozy event that’s a far cry from your average choir concert. “These people are amazing, so to hear them outside of a big concert hall is cool,” said Welltown owner Jeremy Diamond. “This will be an interesting environment where you get to sit down and drink and hear these wonderful voices.”

Wall came into Welltown to pitch Diamond the idea and test the acoustics of the space back in January. “I started whistling and humming around the place … and thought it would be a perfect but unconventional spot to host a choir concert,” Wall said.

Diamond says this event will be the first of its kind in Tulsa. “This is definitely outside the norm … [it’s] new and interesting and I think it will go really well,” he said. “People that might not typically attend a choir concert can enjoy a beer and some great music,” he said. “It will expose people to a whole new type of art form and get them out of their box (or their normal playlist).” Wall urges both choir lovers and people who are unfamiliar with the music to come and “experience the music they don’t know they love.”

Choir on Tap

Fri., June 28, 7:30 p.m.

Welltown Brewing, 114 W. Archer St.

$25; tickets at voxsolaris.net