Choir a dream fulfilled

By Rebecca Petersen | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, December 6, 2008

A Center for the Arts’ Children’s Choir has been evolving for almost 10 years now. After a few years with no community children’s choir in town we decided it was time to get this engine tuned up and moving down the highway again.

I remember moving to Fergus Falls in 1991, and listening to the most beautiful children’s voices under the direction of Geneva Eschweiller. These kids came from public school, private school and home school training. Their ensemble and their music was astounding.

So, when Geneva moved away and when the Children’s Choir temporarily became a thing of the past, we talked to Linda Bjork who had been thinking just what we had been thinking — “We need a group singing lesson that results in a choir of young voices.”

Linda started working with us around the turn of the century. She had two choirs then, grades K-2 and grades 3 through 6. When Linda moved to Montana (where she continues to teach kids how to sing) we enlisted the talents of Dana Flint for the K-2 group and Joni Wasberg for the 3 to 6 group.

Each year, the evolution of the Children’s Choir continues. Kids grow up. They become seventh graders and move on. Kids grow up. They become second and third graders and move in.

Joni Wasberg continues to teach and direct the children’s choir grades 3 through 6 here at A Center for the Arts. The choir has grown to include 26 young boys and girls. We are now exploring the possibilities of a younger group and an older group — either in group music lessons or choirs or ensembles.

We have fabulous programs in the schools and churches. This is just one more opportunity for kids who like to sing to keep singing.

This weekend is a busy one for Children’s Choir. They’ll be singing at both performances of Dance and Dessert, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. They will also be singing for the Fergus Falls Medical Group’s Christmas party.

They had other requests but all for the same day, so some had to be turned down. In January they have a couple of singing engagements, including singing the National Anthem at one of the basketball games here in Fergus Falls.

A highlight a few years ago was singing the National Anthem at a Twins Game in the Metrodome. I was really sorry I couldn’t be there but this is what I heard from those who were there.

“Those voices were crystal clear, a capella, and beautiful. And when they were done singing there was a moment of silence where you could hear a pin drop, and then the place exploded in cheers and applause.”

It gives me goose bumps just remembering that story and others — like the first time I heard Geneva’s children’s choir sing. The sound of children’s voices. It is a wonder to behold.

Last year the Children’s Choir sang with the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert here in Fergus Falls. Earlier this fall they sang for a rush hour concert when the Fargo Moorhead Opera Divas showed up to do highlights from Don Giovanni. They not only impress friends and family when they sing but professionals like those who play and sing with other groups. We’re lucky we have been able to keep such a wonderful tradition going in Fergus Falls.

Another annual highlight is the May Day Invitational held on May 1 at 5:30 p.m., and including other area choirs. It’s a nice way to end the season and a great way to hear how much the kids (and their choir cohorts) have learned throughout the year. Because next year some of them grow up and move on.

Both Dance and Dessert shows for this year are nearly sold out at the writing of this column. If you’re thinking about attending, please call first (218-998-2787).

Still to come — Dec. 18th, Lance Johnson Holiday Rush Hour Concert at 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 21, FM Symphony Holiday Pops Concert. Tis the season!

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Rebecca Petersen is the director of A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls.