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Published on 06/22/1998 All articles from this issue

Vocal about singing

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By Carol Tiegs

Special to the Town Crier

Local groups give aspiring songsters a chance to perform

After 38 years singing with her church choir in San Mateo, Mary Peterson moved to Mountain View. She needed a way to connect with her new community when she read that the Los Altos Town Choir was organizing.

"I love to sing, and they needed altos," Peterson said.

I love to sing. Those are the four words that bond members in the wealth of Los Altos area adult choral groups. Ranging in longevity, size and style, each has carved out a special niche and attracted Los Altos residents to its choral ranks.

Schola Cantorum

Celebrating its 35th year, Schola Cantorum is one of the oldest and largest singing groups.

"What sets us apart is we're musically so eclectic," said Gregory Wait, Schola's music director.

The group "was founded to provide a high-level experience for experienced singers and for audiences," Wait said. "We're dedicated to singing well and singing a variety of choral pieces."

Schola Cantorum emphasizes classical works, but also performs gospel and show tunes as well as specially commissioned works. It is one of the few chorales performing year-round.

"It's really top notch," said Los Altos resident Ted Roumbanis, one of a half-dozen singers who have been with Schola since its beginning. "It's quite serious, people put a lot of work into it."

Schola Cantorum most recently sang Sergei Rachmaninov's "All-Night Vigil," written for eight parts.

It's not all serious, however. Members say there are huge psychic rewards.

"It's spiritually, physically and emotionally uplifting - very therapeutic," said Jo Darius of Los Altos, a Schola singer since 1986. "If you've had a bad day and are tired, (a rehearsal) is a wonderful way to relax."

"It's like a new career for me. It's added a whole new dimension to my life," said Los Altan Helene Hills, a retired flight attendant who joined Schola in 1993.

Schola Cantorum's 1998-99 season will feature gospel works and Handel's "Judas Maccabeus" in addition to its traditional "Messiah" sing-along.

"It costs a lot to put on such productions," Darius said. "We pay dues every year. We have to reach out to the community."

Darius said a board of non-performing members "breathed new life" into the choral group several years ago.

Los Altos board members include chairman Rod Norville and Burt Davis.

"No music group survives on ticket sales," Davis said.

The board received a Packard Foundation grant for board development and is also working with a San Francisco agency specializing in nonprofit development, he said.

Schola Cantorum may move beyond its home at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts into other venues.

"We're trying to develop a broader outreach," Davis said.

Aurora Singers

Aurora Singers is celebrating its 10th season. Pat Tarrize of Los Altos said the group was first formed by former members of the Foothill Evening Chorale.

"A group from Foothill was asked to sing at a wedding," she said. "It was so much fun they decided to get a group together."

"Our aim is to bring music to people who love it and wouldn't otherwise have a chance to hear it," said Dawn Reyen, music director for Aurora Singers.

Fulfilling that mission, the group performs regularly at convalescent homes, senior centers and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto. They also do annual spring and Christmas concerts at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Palo Alto, a thank-you for the use of church space.

"We've done weddings, ordinations and funerals as well," said member Ellie Smith of Los Altos.

Aurora Singers specializes in American music, from jazz to show tunes and spirituals.

Ask members what keeps them singing with the group and Reyen's name is frequently mentioned.

"Dawn is such a magical person, a real Pied Piper," Tarrize said.

Kate Hangauer said she likes the variety of music and the "great people" of all different ages. "I'm probably the oldest," she said. "I'm 84 and still singing. I've made a lot of friends."

"It's more relaxing than barbershops," said Murray Kuperman, who previously sang with Foothill Evening Choral as well as in barbershop groups.

"We wanted to be a comfortable, friendly group as well as one of good quality," said former Los Altos resident Nan Prince, the first president of Aurora Singers. The group is managed by a seven-member board, all of whom sing with the group, she said. It is funded by member dues.

Los Altos Town Choir

Going into its second full season, the Town Choir is the new kid on the choral block.

"It's designed to sing familiar music, songs of the past," said Music Director Johnny Johnson. Johnson is director of worship ministries at Union Presbyterian Church in Los Altos.

"It's also designed for people to have fun, to get to know each other," he said.

Town Choir member Scott Stanfield said he likes "just knowing there are other people who like to sing as much as I do."

The group draws members of all ages. At 27, Stanfield says he "may be the baby of the group." And it draws from outside Los Altos with members like Peterson from Mountain View and Linda Marts of Palo Alto.

"There's not a feeling that you have to be some super-duper singer to participate," Marts said, "so you can feel comfortable."

Marts' son sang with the Main Street Singers while at Los Altos High School. "He got to do all that fun stuff," she said, "and now it's my turn."

"It's a wonderful outlet for singing without needing to make a whole year commitment," said Diane Overbo of Los Altos. "It's mostly for fun and fellowship."

The Town Choir performs at the Los Altos Festival of Lights and other holidays.

It is reaching out to a broader audience through video-taped performances.

The group is featured in an "Independence Day Salute" concert on cable television Channel 26's "New Horizons." The 30-minute concert can be seen at 5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10:30 p.m. Sundays through July 12.

Calling new voices

Each choral group welcomes new members.

For information on Schola Cantorum auditions and programs, call 254-1700.

Aurora Singers has a particular need for more tenors and sopranos. The group will hold a "Meet the Director" night on Sept. 1. Regular Tuesday evening rehearsals are set to begin Sept. 8. For information, call Dawn Reyen at 365-6785.

The Los Altos Town Choir will hold weekly rehearsals from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday beginning in late August.

For more information, call Johnny or Pamela Johnson at (408) 736-2701 or Paul Nyberg at 948-9000, ext. 311.