Waseca Chorale brings pleasant surprise

What’s a good name for a concert made up of songs which are joyful, energetic–and highly unpredictable?

 

“Surprise!”

 

Members of the Waseca Chorale will present their spring concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Waseca High School performing arts center. They say that, even though they began practicing the 16 widely varied numbers on their song list in February, even they aren’t sure what to expect as the numbers are embellished with harmonizing instrumentation and presented in the excellent acoustics of the high school facility.

 

They know for certain, though, that any surprises on the part of the performers or the audience will be pleasant ones.

 

Chorale member Toni Bauleke says she’s highly partial to “I Dreamed a World,” a peaceful, lyrical number which includes “one of the top three solos I’ve ever heard” by fellow member Michael Myers.

 

She also mentions “Sing,” originated by the a capella group Pentatonix, saying audiences will probably have their toes tapping thanks to  “the energy, the character, the way the different voices are brought together.”

 

Andy Miller believes jazz lovers in the audience will especially enjoy “God Bless a Child,” which was originally composed in 1941, but saw a resurgence during the late 60s and early 70s when Miller was active with a local band. Even for those who’ve never heard it before, he adds, the song has a good message, encouraging people to find their own paths to personal satisfaction and contentment.

 

Chorale members comment the song “Auction Cries,” is unpredictable from one line to the next, since its lyrics are compiled from auction advertisements that appeared in a Kansas newspaper.

 

The familiar song “If I Were a Rich Man” from “Fiddler on the Roof” will feature only male voices, and will have Don Frankenberry, who played Tevye in a local production of the musical, as a narrator.

 

“So you can see,” says Chorale board member Nancy Meyer Lehman, “there’s a lot of variety, with all sorts of different moods coming one after another.”

 

“It’s hard to guess what’s coming next, whether it will be something familiar or a piece you’ve never heard before,” observes co-director John Hoehn.

 

Admission of $10 for adults and $7 for youths age 12 and under will be charged at the door the evening of the concert. Chorale members suggest a special surprise will be in store for audience members who arrive 10 to 15 minutes ahead of time.

 

Co-director Deb Wantoch Yess expresses gratitude to the school that the performing arts center, with its excellent acoustics and comfortable, accessible seats, is available for the May 16 concert. “And we’re always grateful for the support our community shows,” she continues. “We’re glad we can bring them a high-quality, enjoyable concert that also helps our Chorale continue.” She goes on to mention the choral group is open to new members “who can carry a tune.”

 

The Chorale concert is made possible in part by grants from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its general fund, the Waseca Area Foundation through the EF Johnson Fund, and Waseca County.