Roni and Tom Crowder took a chance on a raffle that turned their house-warming party into a singing showcase.
Shakespeare wrote “all the world’s a stage,” and on Saturday evening at the Crowder’s house in Chatham, all the living room was a stage. About 40 guests were entertained by gifted soprano Samantha Geraci Yee.
She sang Broadway numbers and opera arias as many of the Crowder’s friends munched snacks; drank a little wine and relished the rare opportunity to hear a talented, young singer hit the high notes at home.
“This is spectacular, and it’s a privilege to hear such an amazing talent in this setting,” said Al DuBuc. “She is a phenomenal singer and I feel very privileged to be a part of this,” added his wife, Marge.
“This is a very intimate setting, and that makes it more special” said Judy Kelly. “It makes you feel a part of the music.”
It all happened because Roni Crowder took a chance on the “Win A Singer Raffle,” sponsored by Opera Club of The Villages. It raises money for scholarships to help young singers with Maestro Bill Doherty’s Central Florida Lyric Opera.
“I think we bought the last two tickets,” Roni Crowder said. ‘I can’t believe we won. This is exciting and fun.”
It was also a way for the Crowders to show their friends the new house. They moved in last fall but never had a house-warming party until Saturday.
“It’s a great way to celebrate our new home,” Roni said, while setting a table with such goodies as cookies, cakes, shrimp, vegetables and assorted snacks. “We got everybody here: neighbors, pickleball players, poker players and friends.”
Included on the guest list were some of Tom Crowder’s classmates from the United States Naval Academy Class of 1965. He said 11 of them live in The Villages.
“That was the year that (football star) Roger Staubach graduated,” Tom said. “Everybody knows him.” Then he added with a smile, “nobody knows us, so we all stick together.”
Both Crowders have turned into opera buffs in The Villages.
“It’s amazing how much talent is here,” Roni said. “We need to do all we can to help such young, talented performers.”
Her husband agreed.
“I’ve become a big fan of opera,” he said. “It has such a variety of music and drama. I’m so impressed by the sheer talent we see here.”
Watch video of Yee’s performance here:
https://youtu.be/TJ1YODt-BFU
Samantha Geraci Yee is one of those talented performers. Recently, she gave an impressive performances in “Rigoletto” and “My Fair Lady” at the Savannah Center.
On Saturday, Geraci Yee found herself center stage in a somewhat smaller setting — the Crowder’s living room.
“It’s a little different but I like it,” she said. “It’s very intimate and personal. This gives me a chance to interact with people and see their faces. When you’re up on stage and you look out in the audience, you can’t really see individual faces. Here, you see everybody’s face.”
About the only problem Geraci Yee had was running the computer generated music machine with her cellphone. “Sometimes, I struggle with technology,” she laughed.
But everything worked well, when she sang such numbers as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “If I Loved You.”
Even the Crowder’s dog, Teddy Bear, seemed to enjoy the concert. Roni Crowder held him in her lap and Teddy Bear was all ears.
So was everyone else at this unique gathering.
“This is a great party,” said Bill Hancock, a longtime friend of the Crowders. “Roni and Tom are as happy now as I ever seen them.”