April 8, 2008

Calling all divas

Mission Valley Chorus prepares for Carnegie Hall

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

Twice a week, the Mission Valley Chorus rehearses its melodies for performances around the state. But now there’s an even more important date: Carnegie Hall.

At a recent rehearsal at Joy Eastment’s home, Mission Valley Chorus members rehearse vocals and choreography, fine-tuning the Sweet Adelines International four-part barbershop harmony.

The Mission Valley Chorus is the local chapter of Sweet Adelines, where woman of all ages sharpen their singing skills through education, training and performance. But just as important are the close friendships formed while learning four-part barbershop harmony.

“We’re a real sisterhood,” said Peg Towns, 82, who has been a member of the chorus for 34 years. “No matter where you go you have friends--New Zealand, Australia. It keeps you young and keeps joy inside of you. It warms my heart, we’re all family.”

New Almaden resident Doreen Boulland agrees and says “Peg’s our inspiration, if she can stand for three-and-half hours, we can, too.” Boulland joined six months ago when she kept hearing about the wonderful music and friendships at Mission Valley Chorus by neighbor Marilyn Entin. Boulland has now asked friend Terri Hennessy from Morgan Hill to join.

“They are very dedicated and personable ladies,” said Hennessy who is preparing her audition tape for official entry into the Mission Valley Chorus. “They are so welcoming. My goal is to sound like them, heavenly and ethereal. I’m amazed at the quality.”

Barbara Hill is equally excited about their Carnegie Hall performance as well as the Mission Valley Chorus 50th anniversary in November.

“There is a real friendship and camaraderie all over the world for Sweet Adelines,” said Hill a 40-year member.
Member Sue Higbee hadn’t sung since high school but her high-octane management position begged for a stress reliever and something fun.

“I had heard of Sweet Adelines but figured they only sang old-fashioned stuff like Lida Rose [from the ‘Music Man’],” said Higbee, a seven-year member. “I decided to take a class they offered [now called Diva’s Wanted] and discovered they sang all types of songs. I couldn’t read music and they produced learning CDs with my part.”

“It is an energizing, creative, challenging activity. I call it the ‘blueberry’ of hobbies: goal-oriented, social, physical, mental, requiring focus and involvement. The best part is making new friends who are interesting, active and supportive,” added Higbee.

Sweet Adelines International is the world’s largest singing organization for women. It is an independent, nonprofit music education association whose primary purpose is to educate members in the art of four-part barbershop harmony. It welcomes women of all ages who are interested in learning to sing acapella and offer training in the American singing style. Thirty thousand women are members throughout the world.

The Mission Valley Chorus has pleased audiences as an entertainment mainstay of the San Francisco Bay Area since its founding in 1958. It holds many regional and international contest titles including the Sweet Adelines International Championship from 1976. The women rehearse twice a week: once at Joy Eastment’s Campbell home for those free during the day; the other at Nordahl Hall in Los Gatos on Tuesday evenings. And besides training their voices, they welcome new members with mentoring by big sisters to “take under our wings.”

“I was shy and timid and had never sung,” said Susan Wong from Saratoga who joined a year and a half ago. “We have a purpose, a community, goals and we’re always learning. Plus it’s fun.”

In rehearsal, the songbirds fine-tune every style of music of the American singing style: jazz, rhythm and blues, Broadway, big band, swing and rock ‘n roll. In performance, they bring a professional experience of their musical songbook complete with glamorous costumes and choreography.

Their director is Angela Suraci, a Sweet Adelines member since 1965 as well as a member of the Bay Area Showcase Chorus in 1998, serving as assistant director and lead section leader since 1999. She sang in high school, college and professional choirs as well as pursuing a career in opera. She received a bachelor of music in vocal performance and pedagogy as well as a BA from San Francisco State University. She is a private voice instructor besides coaching quartets and choruses.

“If you can sing happy birthday then you can sing,” said Eastment. “We’re so excited about Carnegie Hall in February 2009. We’re the only chorus in the Western Region to be asked to perform. There is a real friendship and camaraderie all over the world for Sweet Adelines.”

Mission Valley Chorus’ invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall came from MidAmerica Productions. The performers will spend five days residency in preparation for their concert culminating in a performance at the New York theater.

“The ensemble received this invitation because of the quality of musicianship demonstrated by the performers, a clear reflection of their exceptional director Suraci and an initial recommendation given by other music colleagues who recognize their musical quality is deserving,” said Richard Loy, MidAmerica Productions conductor-in-residence. “It is an elite honor to be invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.”

But it’s not just Carnegie Hall that the Mission Valley Chorus is preparing for. Sweet Adelines’ regional convention in Sacramento is in April and performances for the Los Gatos Kiwanis Club “Fiesta de Artes,” Adventures in Music in San Ramon and the international convention in Hawaii are others on their calendar. And their sweet voices can be heard around the Bay at civic events, nursing homes and volunteer recognition dinners.

“If you energize the singing you’ll stay in key,” said Mission Valley Chorus membership chair Harriet Feltman from Oakland who led the members at a recent rehearsal of “You Are My Sunshine” where emoting is as important as singing. “Sing with conviction, intent and keep the energy going all the way through. ‘You left me for another,’ lots of angst there. That’s perfect.”

For more information on Mission Valley Chorus, visit www.missionvalley.org, call (510) OLD-SONG or e-mail membership@missionvalley.org.

Mission Valley Chorus members, back row from the left, Barbara Mastman, Harriett Feltman, Jody Hacker, Barbara Hill, Debi Gordon, Marilyn Entin and Doreen Boulland; seated, from the left are Samantha Van Epps, Peg Towns, Carol Ouellette, Vickie Wendel and Karen Boerner; and, in the front row, kneeling are Teri Hennessey, Linda King, Kathy Mussett, Susan Wong and Joy Eastment, who all know how to make beautiful music together. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone