“Sing! Sing! Sing some more!”
by Ginevra Ralph, Director of Education
Last term I wrote about our newly organized Vocal Department under Amy Adams, a teacher, director, accompanist and self-described “utility” singer. Because singing provides such an important entrée, or re-entry as the case may be, to music-making, and because this new department has been the catalyst for so much new class activity, I want to continue this topic.
Over the years I have asked adults who have taken a break from music-making “What would get you back into it?” Many answered, “Singing. But not performing!” The social side of making music with others was also noted as something deeply missing in peoples’ lives. Consequently, we launched
WACAC (the Wine And Cheese After-Work Chorus) in the fall, and provided a monthly/drop in rate tuition to be as flexible as possible for busy folks.
Two offshoots have developed immediately. Some folks have asked for a more intensive singing group to work on more challenging music, harmonies, and to have some performance opportunities – but without a lot of pressure. So we are introducing
SSAWS, the Semi-Serious After Work Singers beginning in January on Thursdays from 5:30-6:50 pm. Other folks like the WACAC format, but would prefer a daytime class. So for them we will launch
The Tuesday Morning Singers, from 10:30-11:50 am. So come join the fun and lift your voices with new friends.
Additionally, thanks to a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission, we will also be piloting a weekly sing-along program called Unforgettable in three area residential memory care facilities. Even though certain memories fade, many folks still retain the ability to join in on the familiar campfire-style songs. We believe that a regular program will provide some participatory fun for our neighbors whose social circles tend to shrink significantly as they age. One of these facilities has invited non-residents to join them, so please contact me if this is of interest to your family or friends.
Finally, the Spark Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation is helping launch
Saturday Revue, an exciting, intensive class for middle and high school students who are more serious about musical theater. Co-taught by vocalist/drama coach Marcee Long and dancer/choreographer Laura Hiszczynskyj, students will choose Broadway standards, and write choreograph and perform their own revues.
We would love to have you come back singing – so if you don’t find something that fits your interests now, let us know. We can most likely create it!