Waseca Chorale concert Dec. 1 at Sacred Heart

Even a brief chat with the members of the Waseca Chorale community choir provides ample proof music brings people together. The 45 or so area singers range in age from 21 to  their mid 80s.  They come from across the county and in some cases even further.

They look forward to blending their voices for the group’s holiday concert at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca. Tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the concert. 

They began their schedule of weekly two-hour practices in September under the direction of Deb Wantoch Yess and John Hoehn.

Despite the length of their practice season, however, Chorale members say, rather than having grown “old,” the holiday music has become richer and deeper in meaning as the concert approaches.

“It’s been a way to ease into the Christmas season,” comments Al Judd. “This music is joyful. It’s fun to listen to–and it’s fun to sing.”

Toni Bauleke mentions a particular fondness for a “four-handed” version of “Ding Dong Merrily on High” the group will be singing. She explains two piano accompaniments play simultaneously, bringing the extra energy the song’s title implies.

Deb Vetter suggests the rich harmonies and creative touches the selection of numbers provides will create an opportunity to sort of “breathe in those beautiful things Christmas is really all about.” She says the December 1 performance date should let people “finish Thanksgiving weekend and enjoy a meaningful pause before the ‘Christmas craziness’ begins.”

Chorale directors Yess and Hoehn point out their connection to Christmas began even earlier than for the rest of the group, since they had the task of listening to and selecting the numbers to be performed.

“We chose them together,” said Yess. She said their criteria included finding pieces which reflect variety in their length, tone, mood, and tempo while also being appealing.

“We wanted to get the feel of the songs,” says Hoehn. “They all work together to create an overall impression.”

Chorale members express gratitude to both Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca, where their Tuesday evening practices are held, and to Sacred Heart for providing the concert venue.

They say they are also grateful their group can continue to thrive. “The people of Waseca support the arts,” comments one member. 

“A lot of community choirs have gone by the wayside,” observes Yess. “But thanks to the strong local support, we’re able to keep going, and even growing.” 

Vetter mentions a recent breakfast fundraiser at the Waseca V.F.W., at which Chorale members helped make the breakfast items, serve the food, bus tables and perform other tasks and, in exchange, received a donation.

Schultz expresses gratitude to the Waseca Area Foundation, The E.F. Johnson Foundation, and the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council.

Among other embellishments, those funds helped cover the cost of acquiring a 35-minute cantata titled “Love Came Down at Christmas” which is universally liked among the members. The cantata includes a combination of narration and song that Yess says she and Hoehn both immediately took a liking to. She calls the narration “very down to earth,” and says she looks forward to hearing the whole cantata after all the final touches are added.

Despite its half-hour length, she says, Chorale members have stated it’s “too short,” because of how much they enjoy performing it and how beautiful they find it to be.

“We’ve gotten a lot of pleasure out of putting this all together,” says Bauleke. “And we know people will enjoy hearing it performed, maybe even as much as we enjoy performing it for them.”

“I hope many people set the time aside to come,” reflects Vetter. “I know they’ll be glad they did.”

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its general fund.