Making beautiful music
Valley Chorus celebrates 50 years of entertaining the Twin Tiers.
By CHRISTINE V. SULAT
ELMIRA Star-Gazette
May 7, 2006

It's not unusual for the Valley Chorus to have a spring concert.

After all, the members' raised voices have been entertaining people at least twice a year for several decades.

But the May 13 concert is a special one for the 90 or so members. Not only does it mark the group's 50th anniversary, it also showcases the return of seven former directors, who will lead the chorus in some of their favorite music.

“We tried to pull the history of the chorus together for the celebration,” said Belle DeLill of Waverly, the current director. “Each of the past directors is able to conduct a piece of their choosing.”

Expected to return are:

•Art Rae, the founding director, who also staged “The Sound of Music” with the chorus and brought musicals to the Elmira Heights school district.

•David Kaley, a chorus member in the 1960s, chorus director for nine years in the 1970s and a Waverly teacher.

•Norman Campbell, director from 1977 to 1980 and an Athens Area High School teacher.

•James Hillman, a member of the chorus while in high school and college and director from 1980 to 1981. He teaches in Waverly.

•Duane “Corky” Klinko, director from 1986 to 1992 and a Waverly teacher.

•John Felt, director from 1992 to 1995, who taught in Towanda and now teaches in Corning elementary schools.

•David H. Smith, director from 1999 to 2004, who staged “Scrooge, the Musical” for the chorus. He teaches at Corning West High School.

The guests will direct the chorus for the first half of the concert, and DeLill, who began as a chorus member in 1966 while a student in Waverly High School and moved on to soloist and piano accompanist, will direct the second half.

The first half of any Valley Chorus concert is usually when the audience hears more serious or classical music, such as Brahm's “Requiem.” The second half has lighter songs.

“We all learn something from the music,” said Evelyn Nichols of Athens Township, who has sung in every concert since 1978.

“We try for all types of music in a concert. Some are tough for people to learn,” DeLill said. “But there's a point when it all comes together.”

Often, the Valley Chorus performs with just piano for accompaniment. At the 50th anniversary concert, however, voices will blend with several instruments: Larry Hoey on piano, Chuck Stout on percussion, Toni Damiano on bass, Jessie Bennett on sax, Duane Klinko on trumpet and Neil Klinko on trombone.

People who join the chorus don't necessarily have to have outstanding voices. In fact, there's no audition for the general group.

“We're all there for the love of the music,” Nichols said.

“It's also a wonderful way to meet people when you're new to the Valley,” said Sarah Ransom of Sayre, a member off and on since 1991.

“There's real continuity in the group,” she said. “One director's mother had sung in the chorus, some families have several members and some couples have met and married while members. It's an opportunity to leave the workplace behind and do something totally different.”

“And the rehearsal time goes by so fast,” said Alice Boston of Sayre, a member off and on since 1957.

The chorus is made up of singers of all ages and from all walks of life.

Boston is likely the oldest right now at age 85. But one woman, Margaret Shin, sang until she was 95. The minimum age to join is 15.

Because the chorus is made up of people who generally come together only once a week for rehearsals, there is an effort to provide events away from rehearsal so they can get to know each other, DeLill said.

“It forms a stronger unit,” she said. “It's nice to get to know the person you're standing next to when you sing.”

The Valley Chorus began in October 1955 when the Rev. Homrig House approached someone in the Waverly Recreation Department about starting a musical group in the Valley.

Art Rae, then a Waverly teacher, was asked about putting on Handel's “Messiah.”

The chorus' first performance, with about 60 people singing “Messiah,” followed that January. A concert of Brahm's “Requiem” followed in April 1956.

A repeat of “Messiah” that December was broadcast on Channel 24 TV from Elmira and was sponsored by Ingersoll-Rand.

These days, money to run the chorus comes from many sources.

In addition to several state grants, money is raised from advertising space in the program, a fund drive in the beginning of the year, donations from businesses and residents, ticket sales and $10 a concert from each member.

Rehearsals and performances are at Athens Area High School; the district donates the space. The singers rehearse for two hours on Monday nights for about 14 weeks before each year's two concerts.

Because guest directors are coming in for the concert, there will be just a short time for each to rehearse with the chorus, although the singers have been practicing each piece.

“But the chorus needs to know what to expect from each director,” said DeLill, who arranged the rehearsal time.

DeLill said it sometimes can be frustrating “for singers to see the directors from a distance” and not get to know them well.

To ease the transition for the anniversary concert, a celebration luncheon will be held that day at Tomasso's Restaurant. Past members are invited and can contact DeLill for tickets.

Chorus members don't necessarily confine their singing to two concerts a year. The Vibrant Voices, made up of 16 chorus members who have to audition, perform for benefits, open houses, senior citizens and other events to which they're invited.

Last week, the Valley Chorus sang AT the state of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg for a ceremony in honor of fallen police officers.

As much as the members enjoy traveling to share their music, it's the hometown crowd they like to please, and they're really looking forward to the anniversary concert.

Said Boston: “People will really enjoy the music.”