Mission Valley Chorus profiled in recent article in Almaden Times Weekly.

March 6, 2008

Calling all divas

Mission Valley Chorus prepares for Carnegie Hall

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

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.

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.”

March 11, 2008

Hot off the email presses from Mid-America Productions:

The February 2009 Carnegie Hall performing choruses will be:

CHORUS DIRECTOR LOCATION 
 
  Texas Harmony Chorus - Darlene Rogers - Texas - USA 
  Mission Valley Chorus - Angela Suraci - California - USA 
  Gateway Chorus - Christine Gall - Edmonton - Canada 
  Prairie Winds Chorus - Marilyn Dickey - Texas - USA 
  Jacksonville Harmony Show Chorus - Ann Gooch - Florida - USA 
  Christchurch City Chapter - Virginia Humphrey-Taylor -
Christchurch - New Zealand 
  Olympia Chorus - Dottee Rambo - Washington - USA 
 
As you can see, a truly international event!

Mission Valley recently accepted an invitation to sing at Carnegie Hall, in a Barbershop Reunion Concert in February, 2009.  Now the fund-raising begins!  Here is the initial press release:

MidAmerica Productions in New York City announced today that Ms. Angela Suraci and the Mission Valley Chorus have been invited to participate in a performance in February 2009,in historic Carnegie Hall. 

Mr. Richard Loy, Conductor-in-Residence for MidAmerica Productions, states:  “The ensemble received this invitation because of the quality of musicianship demonstrated by the performers, a clear reflection of their exceptional director, Ms. Suraci and an initial recommendation given by other music colleagues who recognize that their musical quality is deserving of MidAmerica Production’s attention.  It is an elite honor to be invited to perform in Carnegie Hall.  These wonderful musicians not only represent the quality of music, in the barbershop style, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community.  This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.  I would encourage all business owners, civic leaders, and the general public to be generous in their financial support for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“In 1990 & 1991 MidAmerica produced a number of Sweet Adeline performances to great success,” says Mr. Loy.  He continues,    “I don’t know why we didn’t continue the tradition but I’m pleased that we’ve brought back these musical ensembles again”. Loy concludes by saying “Carnegie Hall will again ring with Sweet Adeline harmony!”

The performers will spend 5 days/4 nights in New York City in preparation for their concert.  “The Sweet Adeline Chorus will spend time in rehearsals during the 5-day residency, culminating in a performance in Carnegie Hall under Ms. Suraci’s direction.” says Loy.  “Not all of the time is spent in rehearsals, though, since there is so much history and culture to experience in New York City.  However, the performance in Carnegie Hall is the primary purpose for their visit to the city.” Please contact Angela Suraci to find out more information and how you could be involved in this wonderful opportunity.

Over the past 24 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, orchestral ensembles, choruses and soloists for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.  In addition to presenting instrumental and classic choral works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.