Chorale performance left audience happy

"What a grand time, such lovely music, and isn't that Irene something..." was the word at the end of the annual Christmas concert put on by the Sisters High Desert Chorale at Sisters Community Church last Friday and Sunday.

One of the pieces the chorale spent a lot of time perfecting was the "Thirty Second Fa La La," by Donald Moore. Each time chorale director Irene Liden took them through it, she speeded it up a notch; after all, the singers had 30 seconds to get it done. After the performance on Sunday, the audience called for a three-time encore of "Fa la la," and the last time the chorale did it in 28 seconds, which brought on a standing ovation.

"I love to sing in the chorale, even though it's a lot of hard work," said soprano Janie Buell after the Sunday afternoon performance. "I love the gang I sing with, the music, the sense of accomplishment it gives me, and I know we all feel the same way."

Alto Vicky Hughes added just a bit more insight.

"It's Irene that makes it for me. Sure, at times the rehearsals are tough and I say to myself, "Oh, boy, can we really do this?' Then Irene's great spirit and energy shuts off that thought and I find myself swaying to the rhythm, and smiling back at that wonderful person who gives us everything she's got.

"Then I look out at the audience and see they've got the same feeling - and I know at that moment - I love singing."