Helena Chamber Singers Press Release for Upcoming Spring Concert

The Helena Chamber Singers Spring Concert this year is entitled "Musical Reflections of the Human Spirit." On occasion, discussions ensue on the subject of "spirit" or "the human spirit." Questions such as "what is it?" "Is it real?" "Is it definable?" "Does it exist after death?" "Is it God-inspired?" "Does it guide our lives?" Music is one way to help make sense of this thing we call "the human spirit."

As Leonard Meyer, a noted educator, said, "The performance of a particular composition can evoke concepts, memories and images that range from momentary excitement and passion to deep-seated qualities of feeling that reach into the depths of our being (and touch our spirit). This phenomenon of music conjures up associations from our lives that are outside the world of music and are not found in the musical score or necessarily intended by the composer."

Qualities of the human spirit reflected in the music that is being presented are Joy, Peace, Hope, Optimism, Reflection, Self-Discovery, Love, Passion, Humor, Sadness, Melancholy and Exuberance. Some of the featured choral selections for our upcoming concert will be a 16th-century English madrigal, a Negro Spiritual, two Hebrew folk songs and a four-movement choral jazz piece that has no words and is entitled "Images" by Rob Landes. It will be accompanied by Mark Walker on piano, Luke Michelson on bass and Jeremy Slead on drums. These 3 musicians are arguably some of the best musicians in Montana.

Additional music includes three love songs by noted composer James Mulholland, who used poetry by Scottish poet Robert Burns, a light-hearted duet from the Broadway musical "The Fantasticks," and two square dance tunes, one of which is from an Aaron Copland opera entitled The Tender Land. Several HCS soloists will be featured as well as the choir's "resident" vocal jazz quartet, Fourte, whose members are Karen Keith, Alane Dallas, Bob Nelson and Mike Early. This year, the Helena Chamber Singers are blessed with not just one, but TWO fine accompanists: Gerald Shaffer and Linda Mosness. The concert will be approximately 1 1/2 hours in length.

Brenda Smith, in her book entitled Choral Pedagogy, described the singing experience as that which soothes the sadness of the day, enlivens the boredom, releases the tensions, or simply provides good company. The act of singing (and listening to a choral performance) is a form of therapy for many people and a chance to explore and give order to life. She goes on to say that choral singing is group therapy inviting self-awareness and communal involvement. The instance of resonance and beautiful choral sound when found between the performers and the listeners can be a moment of enlightenment on many levels. If the choir is skilled and dedicated then singing as a group can be "utterly seductive, capturing the imagination, altering life's rhythm and bringing in love and loyalty together in lyric form. Singing groups such as a community chorus like the Helena Chamber Singers can be a potent agent within any culture-a place where love resides and is earnestly expressed.

In the presentation of "Musical Reflections of the Human Spirit," the hope is that they are able to convey to their audiences, however large or small, their love of music and singing, an understanding of the music they are presenting, and their desire to further advance the cause of choral music as an important artistic endeavor, and in so doing, to stimulate an interest in attending choir concerts in Helena and elsewhere. More information about the Helena Chamber Singers can be found on their website at www.helenachambersingers.com.

The concerts will be held at one of the loveliest and arguably the most ideal choral music venues in Helena, St. Mary's Catholic Community Church, on Saturday, April 25th, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 26th, at 3:00 pm (an afternoon concert!). Tickets can be purchased online, at Piccolo's Music Store, Leslie's Hallmark Store in the Capital Mall and at the door. Consider attending this special concert and inviting friends as well. You won't be disappointed!