Waseca Chorale singers surprised with ovation

If the members of the Waseca Chorale were taken unawares after their concert on May 16 when the audience rose to its feet in a resounding standing ovation, that would have been perfectly suited to the evening’s theme. The concert was named “Surprise!” and the people who attended had been persistently reminded of small “surprises” throughout the program.

 

The 40 or so members of the Chorale began preparing for the concert in January; directors Deb Wantoch-Yess and John Hoehn describe having struggled to choose a name that suited the wide variety of songs ranging from contemporary to classic and from introspective to uplifting. Their selection of the name seemed the best way to let audience members know they would be treated to 90 minutes of unpredictable variety. The concert took place in the Waseca Junior Senior High School’s performing arts center.

 

Emcee for the evening was David Oraskovich who, along with providing information about the group and the numbers they would be performing, found himself playing the role of an auction spotter during the song “Auction Cries.” The lyrics were a collection of phrases from actual auction advertisements; audience members would have been truly and deeply surprised to find themselves taking home the wringer washer, bundle of cedar shingles, or chicken feeder offered among the lyrics.

 

The tenor and bass sections of the Chorale were featured in “If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof. Filled with energy and humor, the song had a nostalgic element for Wasecans who saw the 1990s community theater production of the play. Bass Don Frankenberry, who had the role of Tevye in the play, donned the leather cap he wore and introduced the song with the play’s wistful words about how his life would change if he were wealthy.

 

Energetic solos during the concert included a “rap” enhancement to the Pentatonix hit “Sing” by Garrett Natysin, a soulful extra touch to “Chain of Fools” from Nancy Meyer Lehman, and a wistful beginning to “I Dreamed A World” by Michael Myers. The audience was also treated to two sophisticated piano performances from Chorale accompanist Noah Wilson, who is in a master’s program in piano performance at Minnesota State University Mankato.

 

Chorale members include Bass voices Mike Anthony, Gary Arnold, Paul Byron, Don, Don Frankenberry, Carroll Galvin, Matt Jirele, Garrett Natysin, Tyler Paulson, Curt Yess, Tenors John Hoehn, Al Judd, Andrew Miller, Michael Myers, Charles Priebe, Alto voices Toni Bauleke, Marlys Froehle, Salleen Hoehn, Nancy Meyer Lehman, Mallory Malacek, Mary Schultz, Jodie Thompson, Rachel Switzer, Deb Vetter, Sopranos Ruth Anderson, Vanessa Barr, Sarah Berry, Candace Eads, Aimee Hill, Janice Hoverstad, Julie Kramer, Dawn Leigh, Kelli Lenz, Deb Miller, Peg Olson, Kathy Roycraft, Sarah Whitesitt, Marilyn Wilkus and Deb Wantoch-Yess.

 

The performance was made possible in part by a grant from the E.F. Johnson Foundation, the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, and funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature General Fund and the Waseca County Art Fund.