Choir concert a great event
Gladys Shay | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 15 years, 10 months AGO
Sometimes we take events for granted, enjoying efforts of others without thinking of their dedication and perhaps some sacrifices made.
Once again Columbia Falls Community Choir members presented a great, delightful, entertaining, amusing, rousing, peaceful, pleasing and any other adjective to describe a wonderful concert.
There are 102 members in the choir. They reside throughout Flathead County and possibly give up other activities to attend one, two or three practices weekly for several months. Their voices blend, they are happy, professional and enjoy what they are doing.
Credit for this choir goes to talented Ron Bond, director, and his wife, Mary. Personally, I think it would be impossible to tally the hundreds of hours required for selecting and ordering music, to name just a bit of efforts required for this annual event.
Penni Chisholm is accompanist — adding so much to the success of the choir. Dave Merkel joins Penni accompanying for several selections. They also make a great duo providing entertainment for intermission. It is a good break for choir members and fun time for the two pianists.
Suzy Cogliati is an attentive page-turner familiar with choir music. We enjoy soloists, Marc Connolly and Bob Sapp, and clarinet music played by Maryruth Fallon. Ron Reeves records the concerts on CD.
The annual spring concert is just one activity for Columbia Falls Community Choir members. They visit Montana Veterans' Home, Immanuel Lutheran Home, Buffalo Hill Terrace and Riverside Senior Living during the next week. Their music provides a popular concert for the summer series at Marantette Park, sponsored by Columbia Falls Lions Club.
Appreciation is expressed for annual donations received from businesses and individuals. There were 41 names on the 2009 list plus news media. Donations are also accepted at the concert. Music purchases and supplies are costly.
It is sometimes taken for granted but other thank yous were given to Columbia Falls Junior High administration, CFHS music department for use of their facilities and to the CFHS Choral Department for use of risers, music shell and piano. Weekly practices were held in the junior high.
A reception in the cafeteria takes place after the concert in the Little Theatre. Choir members, Smith's, Super 1 and Montana Coffee Traders provide refreshments.
Perhaps I enjoy the choir more because I played the cello, clarinet and piano. The only musical group I sang with was the Epworth Methodist Church choir as a teenager. I remember doing one vocal solo when I was in National Honor Society at Flathead County High School 62 or 63 years ago. I do not know why they asked me to sing. No one would now.
Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News
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