PMEA Region Chorus sings of ‘loss and hope’

BY PAT FARNELLI

Correspondent

Loyal family members, friends, and faculty braved a major snowstorm and thick fog Thursday, March 1, to witness a powerful regional choral festival at Honesdale High School.

The 16 local Region Chorus participants had auditioned at the PMEA District Chorus Festival held recently at and were eligible to audition for all-state competition on Wednesday. The chorus rehearsed Wednesday and Thursday and with guest conductor, Dr. Buddy James, of California State University.

James said that he chose the program selections with the theme of “Loss and Hope.”

The chorus was accompanied by Tsukasa Waltich; host director was Martha Curtis.

Wayne Highlands School District Superintendent Gregory Frigoletto welcomed the chorus and audience. “It is an honor to host the 2018 Regional Chorus event,” he said. “We are proud to share our beautiful, recently renovated facility with you and introduce you to a school community that loves and supports the arts.”

A string quartet played with the chorus for “Laudate Jehovam” by George Telemann, with words in Latin from Psalm 117. The quartet also played for the breathtaking “The Lake Isle,” along with an acoustic guitarist.

For “The Last Words of Beethoven,” Susquehanna Community’s choral and band director Teresa Marino added an ethereal air with a Tibetan singing bowl.

Gospel anthems included “Precious Lord” by Thomas Dorsey, and “I Got Shoes,” arranged by Alice Parker. A mass choir style number, “Worthy to be Praised” featured Montrose Area choral director Scott Zimmerman on electric bass and Brian Bophy on drum set.

Audience member Nicole Schake was greatly moved. “I cried through the whole thing,” she said. “My favorite pieces were those sung in another language. You didn’t need to understand the languages. The emotions were portrayed through the music, an experience felt through the singers’ emotions.”

Participants from Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties included:

Blue Ridge: Kyra Powell, Soprano I; Sequoia Marriott, Alto I; Morgan

Mansfield, Alto II; Wesley Wojtkowski, Bass I; Spencer Renwick, Bass II

Elk Lake: Colin Schake, Tenor I.

Forest City: Katie Nguyen, Soprano II; Cameron Brucher, Bass II

Lackawanna Trail: Alaina Jones, Alto II

Montrose: Grace Wood, Soprano I: Jordann Monaco, Alto I

Susquehanna Community: Kevin Silfee, Tenor I

Tunkhannock: Jordana Bach, Soprano II; Madison Ostir, Soprano II; Hannah

Chesner, Alto I; Rachel Kenia, Alto II; Daniel Matson, Tenor II.