News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
“Remember how much fun we had last year?” Zeta Seiple reminds a few High Desert Chorale veterans, while everyone else agrees as Irene Liden patted Zeta on the back, and said, “And this year’s going to be even more fun.”
Fifty singers from all over Sisters Country gathered last Monday at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church for the first High Desert Chorale rehearsal of the 2013 season.
Among the 50 energetic singers, there were several newcomers there to see if they will fit into the chorale.
In 1995, Forrest Daniels, retired Music Director at COCC, wandered into Sisters looking for a few voices to be the nucleus for a chorale in Sisters Country, and about 20 singers responded. Over the years it grew, and grew, and grew.
After Daniels moved away, Gene Newton took over the young and growing Sisters singers' group. In time, George Larson was waving the baton, and then retired mezzo soprano, Irene Liden, moved into town, and things really started humming.
Many of the original singers are still singing in today's High Desert Chorale, and are now joined by Lola Knox, who rolled into town with Liden, and is enriching the chorale's sound of music with her multifaceted musical talents.
This year, the chorale will be singing:
• "Hallelujah," with words and music by Leonard Cohen.
• "Manhattan Melodies," arranged by Pete Schmutte.
• "Hernando's Hideaway," by Richard Adler.
• "We Rise Again," with words and music by Leon Dubinsky.
• "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," from the Tuskegee Choir Series.
• "Rain," by Vljay Singh.
• "Over the Rainbow," from the "Wizard of Oz."
• "Georgia on My Mind."
• "Ching-A-Ring Chaw," adapted by Aaron Copland.
• "He Never Failed Me Yet," by Robert Ray.
• A medley from "Les Miserables."
Every Monday evening, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the members of the chorale meet at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and give it their best. If you decide to sit in and listen, and think about joining, all you have to do is sign up.
"What's the pay-off for you after spending three years singing with the chorale?" Valerie Skelton, an alto was asked. Her answer was right on the tip of her tongue: "This is the best place to be with some of the nicest people in Sisters."
The chorale will perform the evening of May 3 and the afternoon of May 5 at Sisters Community Church.
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