Members of the Columbia Chorale of Oregon will soon be performing under the bright lights of one of the United States’ most prestigious concert halls this Memorial Day.
On the evening of May 27, 12 members of the Columbia Chorale of Oregon will sing The Magnificat and other selections by composer John Rutter on the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.
Margaret Trenchard-Smith is one of the singers heading to the big city to perform, and she explained how the once-in-lifetime chance arose.
Originally, the opportunity came about when the Ford Family Foundation gave the Columbia Chorale of Oregon a grant of $10,000 to send youth singers to sing The Wisdom of Columbia County at Carnegie Hall on May 27 of this year, Trenchard-Smith said. The Wisdom of Columbia County, composed by Kevin Bryant Lay with lyrics by Trenchard-Smith, is an original music composition written “about and for the people of Columbia County,” telling the county’s history through a series of characters.
“Unfortunately, that performance had to be canceled. It was replaced by a concert of the Magnificat by English composer John Rutter,” Trenchard-Smith said. “We wrote to the Ford Family Foundation to ask whether the grant monies should be returned and were told that we could keep them if we were to send our four young singers to Carnegie Hall to perform under Maestro John Rutter’s baton. Eight adult singers elected to join the youth.”
The four young singers who will be taking the stage are Kayla Bissell, Jaedyn Schumacher, Beth Hanson, and Aidan Pulito.
In preparation for the group’s big night in New York, Columbia Chorale of Oregon Artistic Director Alice Rice Boyer decided that the entire choir would perform Magnificat locally as the group’s “spring masterwork.” Trenchard-Smith said the decision was made because it is “beautiful” and that it will “thoroughly prepare our singers who will perform in New York.”
“It’s a complex, dynamic, and challenging work, and we’ve come far since starting rehearsals in January,” Trenchard-Smith said.
The first Columbia County performance took place at the Birkenfeld Theater in Clatskanie on May 11, and the second was at the Christian Church of Saint Helens May 19. The Columbia Chorale of Oregon was accompanied by the River City Children’s Choir, conducted by Dr. Lynnda Fuller at the performance in St. Helens.
With a strong set of performances under their belts, the next stop is the city that never sleeps. Trenchard-Smith said the traveling singers are going through an array of feelings but are ready for the big stage.
“Our singers who are going on to New York have expressed a mix of emotions--we’re excited, nervous, and determined to make the most of this opportunity! It’s wonderful to think of our talented youth singers--Kayla Bissell, Jaedyn Schumacher, Beth Hanson, and Aidan Pulito--performing at the United States’ most iconic venue,” Trenchard-Smith said. “It is certain to have a lasting positive impact on their lives.”
About Columbia Chorale of Oregon
The following information is from the Columbia Chorale of Oregon website:
The Columbia Chorale of Oregon is the premier choral ensemble of Columbia County, Oregon. We have performed choral masterworks for the people of our county in classical and other genres since 2001. A community within ourselves, we also strive to strengthen the wider community.
Our dedication to excellence has resulted in our being invited on three occasions to participate in massed choirs performing at Carnegie Hall.
For nearly two decades, our Children’s Choir has deepened children’s appreciation of music and the arts and has given them the confidence-building experience of choral performance.
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