JH Chorale sings with 120 friends

Friday, May 09, 2008

By Jake Nichols

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-At 40 members, the Jackson Hole Chorale packs a punch when they sing. Quadruple that, and you’re really ready to raise the roof.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, for the first time ever, the chorale will perform its free spring festival concert at Walk Festival Hall in Teton Village. Chorales from around the state will join the local choir, meaning extra stage space is needed to accommodate the 160 total singers, plus 25 members of the Jackson Hole Symphony.

“We will fill the entire [stage] area. We are really excited,” Denise Harrell, a chorale member, said. “And they have such wonderful acoustics.”

Harrell initiated the creation of the all-star, Wyoming Chorale. The Cody High School Choir, the Gillette Chamber Singers, the Casper Civic Choral, and the Central Wyoming College Choir all accepted the invitation to perform with the Jackson Hole contingent.
The 160-voice choir will tackle a challenging work of Franz Schubert first.
“The Schubert Mass [in A Flat Major] is very difficult,” Al Young said. Young is the chorale director, who will also waggle the baton at the Saturday afternoon show. “We’ve been working on it since January. It’s a major work.”

Members of the state chorales have been rehearsing on their own. They will sing together for the first time Saturday morning at the dress rehearsal.

After intermission, each chorale will perform a short version of its own ‘best of’ hits, and then, the entire ensemble will reconvene for a turn at “The Last Act Finale” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers.”

Soloists from Jackson will include: Jessie O’Connor, Rich Viola, Linda Kaunitz, Michelle Campbell, Lisa Corrigan, Dee Hunter, Dan Land and Amy Robinson. The accompanist will be Laura Huckin.

The Jackson Hole Chorale was formed in 1982. Since their inception, they have put on two annual concerts – one at Christmas and one in the spring. The Chorale performs music from all periods throughout the year for the community at the Senior Center, the Rotary Club and the Farmer’s Market. They rehearse Monday nights at the Center for the Arts.

No tickets are being issued. Organizers will seat concert-goers first-come, first-served. Donations will be accepted at the door. Call Cathie Fisher, 307.734.8470.


Courtesy photo
Jackson Hole Chorale shows that there is strength - and grace - in numbers.

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JH Chorale sings with 120 friends | Planet JH News Article: General News

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