Community Chorus harmonizes

NOTES AS HIGH AS THE MOUNTAINS: The Mountain Community Chorus is holding auditions September 8 at Young Harris College.

"Wonderful!" "'Exciting!" "Marvelous!" "How refreshing to hear such a wide variety of music!" "All of the soloists did a great job". These are just a few of the compliments heaped on the Mountain Community Chorus after their last performance of the season. And a truly outstanding performance it was by chorus and soloists.

The music sparkled from the beginning when the chorus sang "…And there was LIGHT" in "The Creation" by Haydn. One could feel the electricity in the air. Paul Arnold and John Beebe shone as soloists in The Creation and were joined by Hope Horkavy's lovely voice in a trio, followed by the chorus and a quartet of Paul Arnold, John Beebe, Missy Kirkland and Laura Stooksbury in the exciting "Sing the Lord, Ye Voices".

There was a complete change of pace with Earth Song, a contemporary piece with unusual harmonies and dissonances. Many listeners said this was so beautiful they almost cried. One could hear the moaning of the wind in the music. Although "Non Nobis Domine" comes from the movie "Henry the Fifth", it sounds like music from a much earlier time. The solo was nicely sung by Wayne Hundley.

The Chamber Choir sang two unusual Alleluias, both written in modern times. A "Hallelujah", by Beethoven, gave Suzanne Major, the accompanist, a chance to display her talent at the piano. Suzanne plays an important role in the success of the Mountain Community Chorus.

In Mozart's Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate, Missie Kirkland's fine voice soared joyously over the women's choir. The women's choir also sang "Within Thy House Forever", another contemporary piece. Mary Ann Fox demonstrated at the piano how strange the dissonances sounded. The harmony gave an ethereal quality to the music.

The program concluded with four stirring spirituals, always an audience favorite. "Sinnuh Man", a new spiritual, was sung with enthusiasm by the Men's Choir. "Spirit Suite" consists of three spirituals for soloists and chorus. Laura Stooksbury sang the solo in "In that Great Gittin'up Mornin" with gusto. "Sometime I Feel Like a Motherless Child" as sung by Hope Horkavy was filled with poignancy. The chorus ended the program with an exciting rendition of "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel", with David Baker's strong voice adding to the thrilling climax.

Once again, Bill Fox and the Mountain Community Chorus brought our community a fine program of outstanding music. If you missed the concerts this spring, plan to attend the concerts to be presented early next December. If you would like to sing with the chorus, auditions will be held September 8 at Young Harris College. Look for announcements in your local paper.

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