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Chorus prepares for performance

By Lori O'Brien

Correspondent



SOUTH HADLEY The mood was lively and lyrical on the afternoon of Sept. 27 as Cathy Melhorn directed her second rehearsal of the newly expanded South Hadley Children's Chorus (SHCC) at the Center Congregational Church.

Close to 30 youngsters, ranging in age from seven to 12, have committed to a year that will allow them to develop their repertory and vocal skills, according to Melhorn, who serves as conductor. Melhorn recently retired as choral director at Mount Holyoke College.

"When I heard of the opening for a conductor of the SHCC I did volunteer and persuaded the board of the South Hadley Chorale (SHCC's sponsor) to expand the scope of the chorus to a full-year program," said Melhorn during an interview with Reminder Publications. "I love working with younger children and feel that children deserve to be guided by well-trained, creative musicians."

The children have a challenging performance schedule in place, including two performances later this year. The first performance is slated Nov. 4 at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke in conjunction with the opening of an exhibition titled "Destination Holyoke" which celebrates various immigrant populations.

The second performance will feature songs of the season on Dec. 13 at the Loomis Village in South Hadley, along with the South Hadley Chorale.

In the spring, performances will include opening for the South Hadley Chorale performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah in Abbey Chapel, Mount Holyoke College, on March 25, and an April concert is planned at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst. Additional concerts are also slated in February and May.

Melhorn likes to run a tight ship and she insists on punctuality for rehearsals. Children arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to rehearsal time to enjoy light refreshments and settle in. During interviews with several of the children prior to the start of a recent rehearsal, all agreed they enjoy singing but joined the chorus for different reasons.

For Harper Laino, 9, a fourth grade student in Chicopee, he said he "likes to sing" and wanted to try an extracurricular activity other than gymnastics. He said his mother gave him the idea and he jumped at the chance. Maggie Parrish, 7, of South Hadley, is also in her first year with the chorus and said since she has "a great voice," she was encouraged by her mother to consider joining. Sunny Feng, 9, of South Hadley, is another enthusiastic member who is starting her second year with the chorus. She said music is her favorite subject and the joy she receives from singing and learning new songs is immeasurable.

Throughout the 60-minute rehearsal there was a wide variety of music explored, ranging from a lively South African song (in Zulu) and an Irish ballad called "Gypsy Rover," to a lullaby from the Dominican Republic in Spanish.

"We accomplish a lot in an hour's time," said Melhorn.

Melhorn reiterated she is enthusiastic about leading these youngsters through a year of musical exploration.

"I expect their performances to be very uplifting, and I expect to see exciting musical and personal growth in the lives of these children, individually and as an ensemble," she added.

Melhorn said working with children is always rewarding since kids are so honest.

"They don't hold back," said Melhorn, adding "they are not impressed by traditions, or reputation or academic degrees. They respond to excellent teaching (and reflect poor instruction as well), so that is a challenge to me, to do my very best work."

Melhorn said she loves watching children develop their artistic potential which ranges from learning to match pitch and processing new languages to feeling the emotions in a beautiful or funny piece of music.

As each rehearsal builds from week to week, Melhorn anticipates great strides from the children.

"We will always build from rehearsal to rehearsal," she said. "But it's not just the songs. I will be establishing rehearsal discipline (standing, sitting, how and when to ask questions, how to mark music), and introducing concepts of vocal production."

The SHCC is the only community children's choir in the South Hadley/Granby/Chicopee area, according to Melhorn.

"South Hadley's music teachers have been very supportive of this expanded SHCC program," said Melhorn, adding they helped encourage children to give the community chorus a try.

With Melhorn's guidance and professional accompaniment by pianist Barbara Lissandri, there is no doubt these youngsters will be making beautiful music together for the next several months.