BeckRidge Productions

It all began in 1973. East Middle School Choir Director Bill (William) Grimmer thought the beautiful and quaint City of Plymouth needed an adult community choir. He and a wonderful group of volunteers went about creating one. By the time Bill retired in 1977, the foundation had been laid for the Plymouth Community Chorus and ultimately in 2006, the BeckRidge Chorale and BeckRidge Productions. In 1978, Michael Gross took over as the keeper of Bill Grimmer's dream. The organization grew and so did the outreach. The organization hosted the Great American Choral Festival. There were a couple of invitations and trips to sing at Washington's National Cathedral and the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. There were performances with the Birmingham/Bloomfield Symphony and the Plymouth Symphony (Michigan Philharmonic). The organization was changing and it was time the name reflected the outreach and performance level of the chorus. In 2006, the Plymouth Community Chorus became the BeckRidge Chorale an auditioned ensemble. In keeping Bill's dream alive, in 2008 the organization created Cherry Hill Singers - a non-auditioned choir still open to everyone. At the same time, a small select ensemble was drawn from the BeckRidge Chorale and named Village Voices. In the years that ensued, Canton Idol came along as a means to provide training and build confidence for Middle and High School singers. Later, BeckRidge On-Stage sought to address the training and performance needs of those who love theater.