Among the greatest joys of the pre-holiday season for us are the Christmas concerts performed in area churches at this time of year.
And so, we eagerly looked forward to attending Chorale Connecticut’s “Radiant Light” concert at the First United Methodist Church earlier this month. Artistic Director Dorothy Barnhart and her large, exquisitely rehearsed chorale celebrated their 15th year of performing with this concert of traditional Christmas music with old-English holiday accents.
The very first notes sung by the full-voiced chorus to the accompaniment of the church’s Memorial Hand Bell Choir had me shivering with anticipation of the pure pleasure of the music to come. Ms. Barnhart consistently chooses wonderfully imaginative and supremely soul-satisfying versions of all the chorale’s musical offerings masterfully accompanied by talented pianist Sandra Antonelli.
Between the musical offerings, Dr. David Ross Russell performed appropriate brief readings rendered in rich British tones giving the history of the holiday wassail, a “scrumptious” recipe for stuffing and cooking the traditional boar’s head, and a delightful reminiscence of “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” by Dylan Thomas.
It isn’t often these days that we get to hear the familiar old Christmas carols of our past performed. We were gratefully comforted, then, by the chorale’s beautiful rendition of so many of these old favorites along with the Boar’s Head carol, Wassail song and a glorious and resounding “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”.
Children in the audience were invited to come forward and stand with the chorale to sing “Away in a Manger” and the audience was not only invited to join in the singing of “The First Nowell” and “Silent Night” but were provided the words of successive verses in the program.
Once again, we reveled in such a soaring and satisfying celebration of the season.
Dear Dorothy,
We’re sitting in front of our fireplace playing the “Radiant Light” CD. Life doesn’t get too much better. The December 3rd concert was one of the loveliest in memory. The staging, arrangements and the voices were wonderful. The addition of Dr. Ross Russell was inspired – and inspiring. Wishing you and the Chorale a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Warm regards, Lisa and Peter Barr
Good morning Dorothy,
My friend Anne and I enjoyed yesterday's concert very much. Anne is the person I told you about who also sings in choral groups (Ridgefield and Danbury), so she was eager to hear Chorale CT for the first time. The blend was amazing, and we loved the narrator and his selections. Wonderful arrangements of standard carols mixed with beautiful new ones. You outdid yourself!
Thanks again for the beautiful music. Beth Bruno
I spent a large part of my newspaper career as a theater critic and those evenings watching stage performances of all kinds still rank among some of my happiest memories. That said, I recently experienced a week which included not one, not two, but three joyous occasions. The first was Chorale Connecticut’s “Voices in Praise” spring concert at Wesleyan’s impressive Crowell Concert Hall. This time Chorale director Dorothy Barnhart assembled a unique and inspirational program of ecumenical offerings to not only entertain but inspire concert-goers. The Muslim Call to Prayer sung by Dr. Reza Mansoor opened the program followed by soaring choral selections such as “Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord,” “When in Our Music God is Glorified,” and “The Heavens are Telling.” Mahdiye Phillips and Rachelle Fawcett gave insightful readings of the beautiful and mystical poetry of Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi which live on 800 years after his death, and Craig Phillips performed a selection of Hindustani classical music on the sitar. Regal Dorothy Goldberg, cantor of Kol Ami in Cheshire, exquisitely sang “Esa Eynai” based on the 121st Psalm then joined the chorale for the balance of the concert. Ms. Barnhart and her exceptionally fine Chorale continue to entertain and edify us.
MERIDEN - The excitement and sounds of Christmas on Broadway will make their way to East Main Street through the bellowing voices of Chorale Connecticut. "Tinsel Time," the chorale's holiday celebration will feature classic white way tunes mixed in with some Hollywood holiday favorites from timeless festive movies like "Home Alone" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
Chorale artistic director, conductor and founder Dorothy Barnhart works year around to bring the holiday spirit to the First United Methodist Church, where hundreds pack the pews to enjoy the holiday selections perfectly harmonized by the chorale. "This year we had an idea of doing Broadway and music from the screen so we thought the name 'Tinsel Time' fit perfectly," Barnhart said. "We will start the show with Christmas songs from Broadway shows and move onto songs from films."
The chorale will greet concert goers with a medley of "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," "Toyland," "My Favorite Things" and other traditional holiday songs. The chorale will be joined by some very special, little guests for their opening number. "What is very special about this is that we have six little sprites, little children who will share the stage with us and move in and out. It's a pantomime, so they won't say anything but it's very special and they add so much to the concert."
Younger audience members and chorale helpers are a big focus of Barnhart's planning each year, as each holiday concert includes youthful and fun filled renditions of sing-along classics like Rudolph and "Mr. Grinch." "Dorothy is phenomenal with children and every concert is filled with new and different ideas to get them to participate and sing," Terry Doyle, who creates the concert programs, said. "I believe in the arts and including children in them so I support what the chorale does. I have come to appreciate the quality of the music and the dedication of the performers. This is a very special thing for the Meriden area."
Following a short intermission are more somber-feeling selections, with soft tunes like "Silver and Gold" and "Christmas Gifts" from "It's a Wonderful Life." The laid-back feeling doesn't last long as the chorale will kick it back into high gear for some animated versions of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and selections from "Home Alone." Elizabeth Davis, a former Meriden resident removed from her native Scotland will lend her speaking voice to narrate the Scottish "old timey melody" of Auld Lang Syne.
"We like to change it up and give people the opportunity to hear us and get an idea of what we do," Barnhart said. "A lot of people don't have the chance to go to New York or Boston so this brings a warm holiday spirit to the Meriden area. We really want to bring a splash of holiday spirit to the area." Once the area is splattered with holiday cheer, Barnhart will turn her focus to the springtime concert, " Voices in Praise," which will focus on the diverse ways different faiths are expressed through song.
Editor:
Chorale Connecticut, under the direction of conductor and founder, Dorothy Barnhart, finished its 12th season Saturday night, May 9th, with a flag-waving flourish. Patriotic songs, especially those honoring each branch of the military as audience members who served stood to be recognized, brought both joy and tears to the sell-out, cheering crowd. Nine local high school students from Meriden and surrounding towns sang as apprentices with the Chorale and brought their youthful exuberance and talent to the rich blend of voices. We were also treated to several selections by the Southington High School Jazz Ensemble, led by conductor Jeff Shaw. Every year, Chorale Connecticut entertains us with a rich variety of musical selections, and audiences grow larger in appreciation. We can’t wait until next year! Beth & Gordon Bruno, Danbury
Notes received following the Mendelssohn's Gloria and Magnificat concert
Dorothy,
I think this was your best piece yet! My sincerest congratulations go out to you and your fine group. Two hours went by so quickly. I was completely mesmerized!
My thought was that it is a shame that we can’t find a way to share such a beautiful work with more people. If the piece could be done a few times over the weekend in diverse areas of the state – so many more people could enjoy it.
Best, Chuck Riccardo
Dear Dorothy:
I wish this were a card you’d receive in the mail, but alas I fear it would never get to you! So I am sending my thankfulness and congratulations electronically. I want you to know how wonderful it was to sing such challenging, but beautiful pieces. That is one of the things that most attracted me to the chorale. You aren’t afraid to stretch us. It is a wonderful gift.
And I don’t know how you manage to do it, and keep your pleasant, joyful demeanor! I’m always amazed. But you certainly have a gift and I believe that Mendelssohn and God smiled on you and all the musicians on concert night.
Most Gratefully, Millie
MERIDEN — The city no longer has a symphony, but members of the vocal group Chorale Connecticut will be trying to fill that void on Saturday night. The group will perform two epic works by Romantic era composer Felix Mendelssohn, “Gloria” and “Magnificat.” The Chorale has recruited a 21piece orchestra to play with the singers from Connecticut Opera in Hartford. It has played with musicians before, but this is the first time it’s worked with the Hartford group.
“It’s very exciting,” said Chorale Director Dorothy Barnhart. “The orchestra is the largest that we’ve ever hired.” In addition to the orchestra, five guest soloists will also be performing with the Chorale. Barnhart wanted as many local musicians as possible for the performance, and has helped assemble a talented group. Among the soloists is New Britain resident and bass Colin Brady Johnson. He performs mostly solo opera and oratorio works across the state, and was happy to learn of the selection for the performance.
“I’ve done some of Mendelssohn’s other stuff,” he said. “For whatever reason, these works aren’t performed very often, but they definitely need to be.”
Both the pieces will be in the typical Mendelssohn style — dramatic but conservative, with strong Bach influences. Amazingly, Mendelssohn composed both pieces when he was only 13 years old. “I was looking for a ‘Magnificat’ to play, and this was by far the most thrilling,” Barnhart said. “It’s perfect because he wrote the two pieces to go together.” The two pieces are so intense that Barnhart thought it might be a good idea to give the audience a break. “Because they’re so energized, we decided to have an interlude,” she said. The orchestra will play two lighter pastoral songs by Frederick Delius, “On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring” and “Summer Night on the River.”
Originally from Kansas, Barnhart moved to New Haven in 1979 and became the music director at the First United Methodist Church in Meriden. In 1990, she began directing the Wallingford Chorus, and today she also directs the Traveler’s Choral Club in Hartford in addition to heading Chorale Connecticut. Now in its 12th year of existence, the Chorale has grown from 18 members to 48. It also offers an apprenticeship program begun in 2000 which allows high school students interested in music to sing with the group. After they go off to college, many of the students will return and rejoin the Chorale.
“They’ve committed their time and energy and we love them,” Barnhart said. “When they blend with our own voices, it keeps us fresh.” The performances will represent a new step for the Chorale and orchestra, because they’ll be playing the most challenging pieces they’ve ever tackled. Barnhart explained that the pieces were extremely difficult for both the vocalists and instrumentalists. “We’ve worked to lift ourselves to a higher plane,” she said, “and this has brought us there.”
The concert will take place Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Meriden, located at 62 Colony St. A reception will follow, in which audience members can mingle with the Chorale and orchestra. Tickets will be $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $15 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and under with a canned good donation. For more information, call (203) 237-5684 or visit www.choralect.org.
Notes received following the concert
Dorothy,
I think this was your best piece yet! My sincerest congratulations go out to you and your fine group. Two hours went by so quickly. I was completely mesmerized!
My thought was that it is a shame that we can’t find a way to share such a beautiful work with more people. If the piece could be done a few times over the weekend in diverse areas of the state – so many more people could enjoy it.
Best, Chuck Riccardo
Dear Dorothy:
I wish this were a card you’d receive in the mail, but alas I fear it would never get to you! So I am sending my thankfulness and congratulations electronically. I want you to know how wonderful it was to sing such challenging, but beautiful pieces. That is one of the things that most attracted me to the chorale. You aren’t afraid to stretch us. It is a wonderful gift.
And I don’t know how you manage to do it, and keep your pleasant, joyful demeanor! I’m always amazed. But you certainly have a gift and I believe that Mendelssohn and God smiled on you and all the musicians on concert night.
Most Gratefully, Millie
Chorale Connecticut, in its 11th season, will present its annual winter concert Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. The chorus will sing “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten, “Festival Sanctus” by John Leavitt, “Hallelu” by Stephen Paulus, as well as other holiday hits and some surprises.
Dorothy A. Barnhart, the artistic director of the Chorale , said the highlight of the show would be the sound of 48 blended voices and the energy of the choir. “This year’s richly varied programming promises to lift your holiday spirits,” she said.
The featured guests will include harpist Susan Knapp Thomas, who appears regularly with the Hartford and Waterbury symphonies, and the First United Methodist Church Hand Bell Ensemble, of which Barnhart is the director. Barnhart created Chorale Connecticut in 1995 to give experienced singers the opportunity to perform substantial musical pieces by highly regarded composers. Now, 12 years later, Barnhart conducts almost 50 singers, who join the choir by audition and come from various parts of Connecticut. The chorale has been rehearsing for this show since September.
First United Methodist Church is at 159 E. Main St. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $15 for seniors 65 and over, and free with a canned good for children 12 and younger. A wine reception will follow the concert at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center.
Haunting Harp Interludes, Songs of Kings
By Keith Griffin
Hartford Courant
Chorale Connecticut keeps finding fresh ways to present the holiday classics. This year the group will feature Benjamin Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols," accompanied by harpist Susan Knapp Thomas, on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 159 East Main St., Meriden. Under the direction of founder Dorothy Barnhart, the concert begins with the 48-member chorus entering the darkened church with only the illumination of their candles as they sing "Hodie." The concert will continue with Britten's work, a collection of 11 carols. Barnhart said the evening's entertainment is a celebration of excellence. She terms Britten's composition "difficult and exciting." This work was written for the harp, but is more commonly accompanied by the piano. "It's haunting and beautiful and I've always loved it," said Barnhart, adding that Britten's use of medieval poetry and haunting harp interludes gives life to the traditional Christmas story.
A surprise is in store during the second half of the concert, but Barnhart won't divulge the secret. "The second part is quite different," she said. "The end of the concert will be more lighthearted." Among the numbers being performed, "Once in Royal David's City" will be staged with the accompaniment of the hand bell choir from United Methodist. There will be pageantry to accompany "Three Kings of the Orient." The chorale will also offer popular holiday favorites such as "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "Ding Dong Merrily on High."
Letter received by Chorale Connecticut
Dear Dorothy,
Thank you for presenting another beautiful concert (on 12/08/2007). Although I am not usually a Benjamin Britten fan, A Ceremony of Carols is a wonderful piece and it was performed beautifully by Chorale Connecticut. I am particularly partial to “Balulalow;” well done! This audience member appreciated the variety of selections in the concert; it was inspiring to both the general audience member as well as the musically-trained audience member.
May 17, 2008 is already circled on my calendar – I look forward to the next Chorale Connecticut performance.
Dorothy Barnhart is a long way in miles from her native Kansas. But because it is where her love of music was born and nurtured, her hometown is never far from her heart. Music fills her life and is her passion, she says. Thus, it is appropriate that love is the focus of a Chorale Connecticut performance that she will direct Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 159 E. Main St., Meriden. The group will present “Love is in the Ayre,” a variety of songs, some well-known and others not, all centered on love. Compositions include “Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen Foster, “Gershwin in Love” by George Gershwin and selections from “Oklahoma!” and “The Music Man” and “The Lion King.” Composers include Edward Elgar, Gwyneth Walker and Stephen Chatman.
Chorale Connecticut is an elite chorus Barnhart formed in 1995 that has grown from 18 singers to nearly 50 voices strong. Members, who come primarily from central Connecticut, are semi-professional, Barnhart said, and must audition for the group. “They must be able to read music, blend with others and learn quickly,” she said. Barnhart, the artistic director, and accompanist Sandra Antonelli are the only two who are paid, with the rest being volunteers. “This concert is challenging because there are many different styles,” she said. The word “ayre” refers to a word, dating to the Middle Ages, that means a song or melody. The concert is particularly poignant for her because it is being dedicated to chorale member Audrey Simon, a female tenor, who died April 2.
Barnhart, who is a soprano, is also music director of Travelers Choral Club at Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford, a group which fluctuates from 75 to nearly 100 members. She is also a private voice teacher with 18 students and directs a handbell choir of 18 ringers at First United Methodist Church. Barnhart, 60, who grew up on a small ranch in Coldwater, south of Dodge, Kan., sang in church, played clarinet and piano as a child. Her siblings also were musicians. After receiving her bachelor’s degree at Kansas University, she earned her masters degree in music education and conducting at Wichita State University. She moved to New Haven in 1979 and studied orchestral conducting “to get better at the craft,” she said. She studied privately with OttoWerner Muller, a renowned conductor, and later Eva La Cova in New York City. To pay the bills, she taught music for seven years before she decided to pursue her career as a music director full-time. In quiet times Barnhart, who lives in the Marion section of Southington, likes to listen to Linda Ronstadt, jazz and talk radio and also loves Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Handel. She said she doesn’t listen to much music in what little spare time she has.
Chorale Connecticut performs numerous times throughout the year. It is noted for having a varied repertoire performed by professional quality musicians. “Love is in the Ayre” will also feature the jazz ensemble of Brian Cyr, Don Fortin and Brian Takiff. A wine reception follows the concert. Admission is $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $15 for seniors age 65 and older, and free for children age 12 and under who bring a canned good, Tickets are available at JC Music, 519 W. Main St., and Valencia Liquor Shop in Ames Plaza, both in Meriden; Gallagher Travel, 390 Center St., Wallingford; and Just for You Country Gifts, Route 322, Southington. For more information, visit www.choralect.org or call (203) 237-5684. Robin Lee Michel is managing editor of The Plainville Citizen.
After a decade, Chorale Connecticut's holiday concerts seem like an older tradition. Set in the First United Methodist Church, decked out as usual this year with evergreen accents and Christmas trees, the show takes on a real New England feel. The church was filled almost to capacity Saturday night. The only thing that would have made it cozier inside would have been some snow outside, like that pictured covering the giant pines on the color cover of the concert program.
In 1996, during Chorale Connecticut's first holiday concert, there was snow outside, even a few minor traffic accidents, but the show went on. On Saturday, the chorale’s program ran for just under two hours, and it was a look back on some of Artistic Director Dorothy Barnhart’s favorite moments from 10 years. As in that first show, the chorale contracted a brass section. They joined the singers and guest organist Kendall Crilly on selections including “O Magnum Mysterium” by Giovanni Gabrieli, the only piece in this concert that Chorale Connecticut had never tried before in any form. The brass and organ were also there on Felix Mendelssohn’s “Advent Joy” and on a dramatic rendition of Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata” that brought the program to intermission. The full effect was rich.
The chorus takes months to prepare for these concerts, and it shows. They’re a tight, well balanced group, and for this concert, soloists Millie Mueller on “Little Baby” and Penny Jonas on “Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child” stood out. After the break, the horns - trumpeters Nancy Brown (who put together what was billed as the Festive Brass Quartet) and Larry Gareau, and trombonists Tim Kansler and Eric Davidson - played a set of their own, with five songs, including Mozart’s “Alleluia.”
The audience was hushed throughout the concert, saving a chorus of coughs for between songs, maybe mindful that the music was being recorded for a CD. Chorale Connecticut also sold other CDs across Pleasant Street at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center following the show. Marvin Beloff repeated his 1996 performance by explaining the meaning of Hanukkah. Barnhart lighted a huge menorah and invited children in the audience to come up to the front of the audience (a few did) and join in singing “Baruch Atoh.”
The concert began with the singers in the back of the church, out of sight to those in the balcony. The first performers to sing up by the altar were the chorale’s charter members, Barnhart included, who make up about one third of the full group’s 40 plus members. She later introduced those on the other end of the service spectrum - Chorale Connecticut's six high school apprentice singers, four of whom sang Saturday. The concert also included “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” “Il est ne le divin enfant” and “Angel’s Carol,” as well as a cheerful “Carol of the Bells” and a medley arranged by Mark Hayes called “Fantasy on Five Christmas Carols.
Having attended most of Chorale Connecticut's concerts over the past ten years, the one on Saturday, May 6 was especially delightful. Perhaps it was because of its theme "Remembrances". Indeed, I did remember many of the songs that were performed. To help jog the audience's memories, there was a PowerPoint presentation of photographs taken of the singers over the years, as well as lovely views of nature to accompany some of the spring songs.
Dorothy Barnhart once again has organized and skillfully brought to fruition an amazing variety of musical delights. Whether the songs were patriotic or classical or folk tunes, she brought variety to each number. I am always amazed that the balance of voice parts is so perfect never do the sopranos dominate the sound. Lots of power comes forth at times from this choral group, but then delicacy can take over. I never knew quite what subtleties were coming next.
When children were brought forward to sing along with the group, it was fun to watch. When Sandra Antonelli, the amazing piano accompanist, was honored as Chorale Connecticut's “Honoree of the Year” for 2006, I was particularly thrilled. Her piano skills were certainly evident throughout this concert!
I am always glad I attend these fine choral concerts. The musical quality is always excellent, from number to number, from concert to concert, from year to year. We are indeed lucky that Dorothy Barnhart decided ten years ago to form such a group for our musical pleasure.
MERIDEN — Each year, it seems, weather plays a role in Chorale Connecticut's holiday concert.
If snow doesn’t keep people away (as it did two years ago, when a storm limited the audience to a brave few for two performances), it adds a cozy intimacy, along with the evergreen and the red ribbons that decorate the inside of the First United Methodist Church.
Saturday’s concert was such a night. Second day slush from Friday’s snowfall was no match for an audience that packed the church, as Chorale Connecticut presented a lavish performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” backed by a 15 piece chamber orchestra and four guest vocalists.
Chorale Connecticut Director Dorothy Barnhart conducted the concert, which lasted a bit less than an hour and a half. She seemed almost stunned when she turned to face the audience, which had risen at the start of the “Hallelujah Chorus” and stayed standing to applaud when it was over.
“Whoa,” Barnhart said. “I didn’t really see you ’till now.”
Snow usually follows the Chorale, Barnhart said.
“This year in came right — a day early.”
This was the first time since 1999 that Chorale Connecticut has performed “Messiah.” It’s an expensive show to do, with guest singers and more musicians that the Chorale usually hires. This year’s show was helped by $2,000 from the Rosa Ponselle Fund, sipping into an endowment left by Meriden’s late opera diva more than 20 years ago. The Chorale also sprang for a colorful artwork on the concert program, and sang with a similar, festive spirit.
The program began with the chamber orchestra, led by violinist and concertmaster Andrew Smith and featuring Mary Nelson’s delicate harpsichord, performing a selection from Arcangelo Corelli’s “Concerto Grosso.” The music set the mood nicely for Chorale Connecticut's entrance.
The “Messiah” program gave each of the professional guest singers — soprano Beverly Myers, mezzo Laura Mashburn, tenor Wayne Rivera and bass Ted Stasiuk — moments in the spotlight. In the hushed church (the audience was told beforehand that the concert was being recorded), the music carried clearly to the back of the church. The choir had its own moments to shine between solos, and at the conclusion of the show, as the music built toward the climactic chorus.
After the big ovation, the audience was invited to join in on two verses of “Silent Night,” and asked to the post concert reception next door to the church at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center.
MERIDEN — Chorale Connecticut will give its guest performers a place of honor on Saturday night at the First United Methodist Church, in a program called "American Voices." "We brought in risers, and we're arranging them so they would be in front," Chorale Connecticut Artistic Director Dorothy Barnhart said this week, talking about the 31 singers from DePaolo Middle School of Southington, who will join in the 7:30 p.m. concert.
The collaboration, Barnhart says, took root a few years ago when she came to the school to do a workshop for Patricia F. Altieri, who teaches choral music at DePaolo. "We wanted to share our music with young people," Barnhart says, "to give them an opportunity to sing with adults in an exciting setting … When we decided to find a group that might be interested in singing with us, (Altieri) came to mind."
Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $13 for seniors 65 and over and students. Kids 12 and under get in free with a donated canned good. For more ticket information, call (203) 238 2148 or click on www.choralect.org. The church is at 159 E. Main St.
The program begins with Chorale Connecticut singing alone, on selections that include "Amazing Grace" and Paul Halley's arrangement of "Wondrous Love." Billed as the Special Singers Ensemble, the students will sing alone in Swahili on "Dansi Na Kuimba," followed by "You Raise Me Up" (a hit for Josh Groban), and "Glory Bound." The students and adults join before intermission for "Freedom Trilogy" with one song from Greece, one from South Africa and a reprise of "Amazing Grace."
They had only one scheduled rehearsal together, on Wednesday night. And back at school, Altieri says, pulling the student singers together has been a juggling act, too. "We don't have a set time for us to rehearse," she says. "We're always pulling them from classes; we never have a hundred percent." The Special Singers Ensemble, she says, are almost all eighth grade students who sing in DePaolo's concert choir. They're used to performing in public, having sung at the local YMCA and at the Calendar House senior center in Southington. "They're going to go out and give it their best effort, I think," she says.
The second half of Saturday's program starts with Chorale Connecticut doing "Hoagy Carmichael: A Choral Portrait," including "Star Dust," "Heart and Soul," "Georgia On My Mind" and other classics. Chorale Connecticut also pays tribute to Moses Hogan, the New Orleans born pianist, conductor and arranger famous for his work with spirituals, who died in 2003 just short of his 46th birthday. "His music was just starting to take off, worldwide," Barnhart says. "He had a way of arranging that no one else had." Chorale Connecticut will sing Hogan's "Hear My Prayer," along with his arrangements of the traditional "Walk Together Children," "There is a Balm in Gilead" and "My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord."
Following the Hogan songs, the student singers are scheduled to return and join with Chorale Connecticut on "How Can I Keep From Singing?" an old Quaker hymn. There's more planned before the post concert reception across Pleasant Street at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center. "We've been working on a special encore," Barnhart says. "So we hope we will be invited back to sing an encore."
Chorale concert delights at church: ‘Mosaic Christmas' mixes old and new for the Holidays
By Ralph Hohman, Record Journal staff
MERIDEN — Chorale Connecticut Artistic Director Dorothy Barnhart said last week that with only one holiday concert this year, the group was expecting a big crowd Saturday night at First United Methodist Church .
Barnhart knew what she was talking about: The church pews, including those in the balcony, were nearly filled. Chorale Connecticut was ready with a poised, unhurried performance titled "Mosaic Christmas." The concert was dedicated to Robert J. Cyr, Meriden 's former music education director and for decades one of the city's leading musical figures, who died Friday at 83.
"Mosaic Christmas" wasn't a typical revue of holiday favorites. Even the carols with which Chorale Connecticut closed out the program (the last few too late for inclusion in this article) were offbeat arrangements by contemporary American composer Stephen Paulus.
The concert's first half hour was devoted to "Messe de Minuit pour Noel" ("Midnight Mass for Christmas"), an often somber, sometimes majestic piece for which composer Marc Antoine Charpentier (circa 1645 1704) followed his habit of borrowing secular melodies for sacred music.
Backed by guest artist Ralph Valentine, tucked almost out of sight on the church's pipe organ amid the altar Christmas trees, and Molly McLaughlin and Nicole Hume on flute, the chorale made a big noise in a hushed room.
The second act began with Claire Happel alone, playing solo on Benjamin Britten's hypnotic hymn from the Suite for Harp. Happel, who is working toward her master's degree in harp performance at Yale, and pinch hit in last weekend's holiday pops concert with the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, was then accompanied by Valentine on "Aria in Classic Style" by Marcel Grandjany.
A bit of an awkward delay followed, as Happel wheeled her harp down to floor level and got another round of applause, followed by a lull as the audience waited for the singers to return. But the dissonance chord with which Valentine began "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" perked up the show, and signaled that the carols would be more than stock renditions of old chestnuts. Oboe and handbell accompaniment made the songs festive, but not overly ornate.
Last year, Chorale Connecticut held two performances of "Christmas by Candlelight." The first drew a Friday night audience of only about 50, who braved a snowstorm. After shoveling out, the second performance drew better, but didn't fill the church.
This year, Barnhart said, Chorale Connecticut decided to book one date and hope for he best. The group got the weather, and the big audience, it had hoped for.
Chorale Connecticut delights with a lively opera celebration
By Ralph Hohman, Record Journal staff
MERIDEN — Opera returned Saturday night to Rosa Ponselle's hometown, and Chorale Connecticut was ready for the challenge.
Prefaced by a half hour talk on the history of the art form, and complete with English translation of the Italian, German and Russian libretti in the program notes, "Opera! Bravo!" was user friendly and educational.
But the concert went well beyond being a primer. It was airtight and passionately performed, with the chorale hitting an emotional pitch it hasn't always attained, and guest soloist Stella Roden's voice soaring through First United Methodist Church. The show was the first of two "Opera! Bravo!" performances. The second is scheduled for today at 3 p.m.
The program picks bits and pieces from a number of works from the 18th through 20th centuries. When it lingered longer for four selections from Carlisle Floyd's American opera, "Susannah," Saturday's performance electrified.
Sometimes it seems Chorale Connecticut feels obligated to sing familiar songs. They did it through some of Saturday's show, too. But in trying an all opera program — and picking something unfamiliar and unusual in "Susannah" — the chorale captured its audience in a way an old shoe, as seen on TV concert never would have.
"Susannah" isn't new (except in opera terms). The work had its world premiere in 1955 and was first performed in New York the following year. But Floyd is the only composer on the "Opera! Bravo!" program who is still alive (the runner up being Aaron Copland, who died in 1990). And his story of old time religion, repression and hypocrisy could be set nearly anywhere in American history, including the present.
Roden, a doctoral student at the University of Connecticut, sang two of the "Susannah" selections: "Ain't It a Pretty Night" and "The Trees on the Mountains." Her urgent voice and flashing eyes turned the pieces into theater. And Chorale Connecticut's own Stephen Rittenhouse, featured in the two selections between Roden's "Susannah" songs, kept the drama going with his portrayal of a small town Southern preacher.
The slices of "Susannah" and "The Promise of Living," from Copland's opera "The Tender Land," capped off an international sampler that included Handel, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Wagner.
The chorale's rendition of the "Anvil Chorus" from Giuseppe Verdi's "Il Trovatore," was joyous, complete with tubular bells borrowed from Maloney High School. Roden also sang "Regina Coeli" (Easter Hymn) from Pietro Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" — an opera Ponselle sang with the Metropolitan Opera.
That last tidbit was part of Valerie T. Bubon's pre concert "conversation" on opera. Bubon, who teaches adult education courses in opera, gave a quick overview, spanning from Greek incorporation of singing into drama as early as 600 BC, through Italian dominance a thousand years later, and into the works of Verdi, Wagner and Floyd.
And, of course, she talked about Ponselle, the city's great contribution to the art form.
"I'm very pleased to see opera come back to Meriden," Bubon said, "because it's been a while."
Chorale Connecticut's Christmas candlelight concert is enchanting
By Ralph Hohman, Record Journal staff
MERIDEN — Chorale Connecticut got a white "Christmas by Candlelight" and then some — and made the best of it.
After months of preparation, the chorale went ahead with its scheduled show on Saturday night, despite the snowstorm. By Sunday afternoon, the sidewalks around First United Methodist Church were cleared, but piles of snow on the roadsides still made access a concern for anybody with mobility issues. By the chorale's count, 186 attended the second and last performance of "Christmas by Candlelight," not filling the pews.
"It definitely hurt us," Chorale Connecticut President Florence Thibodeau said during intermission on Sunday.
Even so, Saturday's intimate concert, which Thibodeau said drew an audience of 52, "was just beautiful," she said. And despite the lack of a sellout on Sunday, the singers and the audience were upbeat throughout the 90 minute program.
The snow outside added to the coziness of the church, where the rich, red drapes were appropriately accented by Christmas greenery, and electric lighting was minimized to make the most of the candelabras around the chorale.
The first half of the program was traditional, contemplative and reverent without being depressing. The chorale's entrance itself was effective, as it began with a ringing rendition of "Veni, Veni Emmanuel" in the church foyer, unseen, behind the audience, then moved in a candlelight procession up either side of the church to the altar.
The men in the chorus wore black tuxedos and red bow ties; the women, long black skirts, flowing white blouses and red and green plaid sashes tied at the waist. All the singers wore red roses. Their tight musical arrangements (under Artistic Director Dorothy Barnhart) on songs such as "Carol of the Bells" were enhanced by the church's acoustics. Barnhart didn't have to use a microphone or shout to be heard throughout the church, introducing each new piece.
The program progressed from sacred to popular in its second half, and ended with the traditional sing along. And while its audience tends to skew toward an older demographic, the chorale got kids into the act, too. A handful of youngsters took Barnhart's invitation and joined the chorale on stage, ringing and singing on "Silver Bells" and "White Christmas."
Unless mom or dad came prepared, though, those performances won't become part of the permanent record. This year, the chorale recorded its holiday CD ahead of time instead of in live concert performance, and sold copies at this weekend's shows.
An ACES Interdistrict Magnet School, Meriden, Connecticut
The Music Man, by Meredith Willson, is an extremely popular Broadway show. It has recently been released in a new modified concert version. Chorale Connecticut delighted in presenting this latest version in the spring of 2003 with professional soloists Tom Chute and Heather Picard, orchestra and our wonderful Chorale members. The Thomas Edison Middle School Band participated in the performance serving as the “River City” children’s Band. In addition, music teachers from Thomas Edison complimented our orchestra. We are proud of our family of gifted chorale members and excited about experimenting with musical theatre.
This Christmas season, Chorale Connecticut is joined with Yevshan Ukrainian Vocal Ensemble to present “An Old World Christmas”. Yevshan is a chorus from New Britain dedicated to promoting Ukrainian folk and classical liturgical music Director Alexander Kuzma is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music and Yale University. Yevshan performs in the Hartford area and is dedicated to promoting the unique beauty of Ukrainian folk and classical liturgical music.
The program was a special blending of well known Christmas favorites and Liturgical chants. We began with our combined eighty voices singing, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, a carol that personifies the Spirit of Christmas. Two special works stood out:
Slava Vo Vyshnykh Bohu, (Glory to God in the Highest), A Christmas Concerto sung in Ukrainian by Dmitri Bortniansky. It is a powerful choral work, reminiscent of George F. Handel.
Alleluia by Randall Thompson. It is a reflective, majestic choral piece that expresses praise and joy through its dynamic and harmonic contrasts.
Other favorites included Carol of the Bells, O Tannenbaum, and Lo, How a Rose e’re Blooming. A special segment featured a Yevshan quartet performing on their Banduras, an ancient Ukrainian stringed instrument. This concert celebrated our past dreams of traditional times.
MERIDEN Thomas Jefferson was a lot of things: author of the Declaration of Independence; third president of the United States of America; a great political thinker and an eloquent, persuasive writer. He was also a slave owner though one who said he hoped slavery would end.
On Sunday, Jefferson's words were the foundation of "The Testament of Freedom," presented by Chorale Connecticut at the First United Methodist Church. Bill Guilfoile, president of Chorale Connecticut's board of directors, said the idea for the show "arose from the depths of our sorrow over the loss of so many lives on Sept. 11." Presented as a gesture of healing and salute, the program paid tribute to representatives of the Meriden fire and police departments, the FBI and a host of veterans groups in attendance.
The Mattatuck Drum Band, dressed in 18th century period uniforms, greeted the audience by playing outside the church and later kicked off the concert inside with a booming "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The 40 member chorale dressed formally in black, with red rose corsages that matched the long drapes on the church's giant windows. They sang reverent, patriotic songs for a nearly full house that included Mayor Mark D. Benigni and City Councilor Matthew C. Dominello. It was a show that played like a Memorial Day preview, and drew standing ovations at intermission and the end of the program.
U.S. Rep. James H. Maloney prefaced the chorale's performance by reading the four Jefferson excerpts included in "The Testament of Freedom," which was set to music by Randall Thompson and debuted in 1943. While Maloney joked that he declined an invitation to sing "I only can sing B flat" he has a big speaking voice. A printed copy of the words wasn't provided in the concert program, though, and it would have helped, since Jefferson's words are worth mulling. Also, "The Testament of Freedom" isn't the most melodic piece of music you'll hear, which is probably why it isn't done more often.
But it is powerful, and was performed cleanly and passionately by the chorus, with the accompanying timpani and trumpets adding echoes of military cost and glory. The last segment of "Testament" comes from a letter from 1821, in which Jefferson writes for his belief in the America after his death. The young country's "light and liberty," Jefferson wrote, would glow even if the same were dashed in Europe. Of course, it would take more than 40 years and a hemorrhage of American blood before "light and liberty" would prevail over slavery. So it was appropriate that Sunday's concert also include "A Civil War Medley," as arranged by Greg Gilpin and including pieces "The Battle Cry of Freedom," "Dixie," and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."
"Dixie," is a touchy thing in itself, a song that heats similar feelings as does the Confederate flag. The medley leaves out the parts about "the land of cotton," and "old times there are not forgotten." As Chorale Artistic Director Dorothy Barnhart had promised, "A Civil war Medley" was sensitively, reflectively done. On other pieces, Barnhart turned to conduct the audience, some of which joined in on "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful" and a big finish chorale reprise of "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Dorothy Barnhart's job as artistic director of Chorale Connecticut is to sweat the details. On Saturday night, following the chorale's winter concert, "Sharing of Praise and Peace," she was more than satisfied. "I'm exhilarated," Barnhart said between hugs at the post concert reception at First United Methodist Church.
"Tonight, everything came together as if it were meant to be," Minutes earlier, the chorus had finished off an eclectic, reverent and joyful program ranging from Bach and Schubert to Spanish Christmas carols, from Hebrew praise songs to a musical rendition of the E.E. Cummings poem "little tree." The church pews were filled, the audience spreading up into the balcony, to hear the chorale, whose black, formal attire was accented by the rich red drapes, Christmas trees and wreaths. The program was taped with the audience asked to shut off cell phones for CDs and tapes Barnhart said would be available in about a month through the chorale's Web site at www.choralect.com.
The pre intermission highlight played after a string section opened with Bach's "Gavottes I & II in D Major" was Franz Schubert's six part "Mass in G." It work was enriched by three guest performers: soprano Beverly Myers, tenor Wayne Rivera and baritone Chai lun Yueh. Yueh, who began his musical career in China and is on the faculty at the Hartt School of Music, Trinity College, Wesleyan University and Central Connecticut State University, is chairman of the voice department at the Hartford Conservatory. In concert, his booming voice provided a lush balance to Myers' shimmering highs.
"Mass in G" is written to highlight the soprano, though, and the full house seemed especially hushed when Myers sang. "I think it's a lovely church for performing," she said afterward. "And the acoustics were very good." Myers, who lives in New York, sang later in the program, too, notably in a haunting rendition of the Hebrew "Esa Eynai." Rivera, head of the opera department at the Hartt School of Music, filled in throughout the concert, since the 40 member chorale was minus a tenor for the program.
"In the second half, the little things, the details were right," Barnhart said. Those included the four Spanish carols. English translations were provided in the program, but weren't necessary the words sounded melodic in themselves, even if you didn't know what they meant. The traditional Austrian carol, "Still, Still, Still," set next to Cummings' poem, worked well, too, as a study in contrasts.
MERIDEN Planning a holiday concert can be a difficult task. Sure, you could rely on all the expected favorites, like "Deck the Halls, "Silent Night" and others, or you can try to educate your audience with different, rarely heard Christmas music.
Dorothy Barnhart likes to do a little of both. She and her Chorale Connecticut will present "Legends Of Christmas Past" on Saturday, which will combine music from the Renaissance era, Geoffrey Bush's "Christmas Cantata," audience participatory carols and more. The concert will take place at the First United Methodist Church. "The goal is to satisfy the musical aspect in terms of developing musicianship and camaraderie within the group," director Barnhart said. "Another important goal for us is to share what we know with an audience. You have to do enough things that people are familiar with because it makes them feel good. Our goal is to balance the programming."
So with that in mind, the chorale has included selections like Robert H Young's ''Advent Meditation" and "Hodie Christus Natus Est" by J.P. Sweelinck as well as carols like "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." Bush's long "Christmas Cantata" will come right after intermission. Bush, who died in 1998, studied at school as a musician, but learned how to compose on his own, Barnhart said. "The music is very powerful," she said. "It's powerful in ways we didn't realize until we started working on it." The cantata is based on 15th century Christmas carols and was written in 1948.
The piece features guest oboist Marilyn Krentzman and soprano soloist Carol Calladine. Calladine, of Southington, is pleased to be highlighted for this concert. She has been a member of the chorale since 1994. "I'm excited that I have such a major role in this Christmas program," she said. The cantata "has a real nice mixture of old and new. It's very nice, very haunting." To prepare for the concert, the chorale worked with a consultant from New York City, Beverly Meyers. She is an expert in Renaissance music, said Barnhart. "She listened to the pieces and gave us pointers," she said. "She was a success. It was wonderful help for me so l could sit back and listen."
This concert will be the first for Chorale Connecticut that will feature an apprentice to the group Kristen Ceneviva, a Maloney High School student. Barnhart said that five young people auditioned for the chorale at the beginning of the season. "We didn't accept them because none of them were experienced in sight singing and working with a group that moves so quickly through the music," she said. "Instead, they decided to choose Ceneviva to work directly with one of the chorale members as an apprentice. She will sing in some of the selections on Saturday. "We decided of everybody she was the most ready," said Barnhart who added that she hopes to select other apprentices. "We're hoping this will catch on for future concerts."
White Snow, festive music add to the holiday cheer
December 3, 2000
By Amanda Savio, Record Journal Staff
MERIDEN Chorale Connecticut got its Christmas present early this year. After months of rehearsal, the 41 member auditioned chorale had a full house for its "Legends of Christmas Past" concert on Saturday night at the First United Methodist Church, a gift for any performance group.
A representative from the chorale even had to come out and ask the people in the pews to squeeze together as tight as they could to accommodate those who were standing in the back. The chorale was also lucky enough to have a blanket of crunchy, white snow outside to add to the already festive atmosphere. Inside the church, red draperies and green wreaths accentuated the cheerful feeling of the evening. Chorale Connecticut, under the direction of Dorothy Barnhart, is made up of singers from the central Connecticut area. The group began as an offshoot of the Meriden Symphony Orchestra five years ago.
The concert featured a number of Renaissance pieces, as well as Geoffrey Bush's "Christmas Cantata" and an audience participation segment which featured familiar carols like "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." The chorale set the mood at the beginning, as the members made their way down either side of the darkened church, holding lit candles and humming the beginning of "Veni, Veni Emmanuel," which first dates back to the 12th century. After arriving at the front of the church and arranging themselves in rows, they began singing the verses. By the time they got to the Rejoice!" part they had reached a full satisfying volume.
"Exultate Justi in Domino" by Ludovico Grossi da Viadana was uplifting. The members did well with the quick, short notes, and the voices of the different chorale sections intertwined nicely. "O Magnum Mysterium" was smooth and tranquil, as performed by the group. The piece was written by Tomas Luis de Victoria, who was one of the great Spanish composers of sacred vocal music, and was indeed quite spiritual, wrote the piece. The chorale also performed a simple and sweet "Il est ne Le Divin Enfant," a traditional French carol that encourages world peace, a message that just as necessary now as when it was written. It was performed by an apt ensemble, which also sang "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming."
"Hodie Christus Natus Est" by Jan Pieterz Sweelinck was a joyful and glorious conclusion to the first portion of the concert. The "Christmas Cantata" by Bush was written in 1948, and is based on 15th century Christmas carols. It is meant to be performed with piano and oboe, which were provided by accompanist Sandra Antonelli and guest oboist Marilyn Krentzman. The two instruments offered a nice introduction, which became somewhat dramatic. The cantata also demands quite a vocal workout from the singers, especially the sopranos, whose voices certainly penetrated the rafters.
If you're looking to participate in concerts such as this, Chorale Connecticut is looking for sopranos, tenors and basses. Call (860) 621 1653.
Mendelssohn had the right idea. Reflecting on a "sweet golden spring day," he wrote: "And why, at this time, bother to go to work?" "That's one of my favorite lines," said Chorale Connecticut artistic director Dorothy Barnhart. The line comes from the "Fruhlingsfeier" portion of Mendelssohn's "Sechs Lieder Im Freien Zu Singen" ("Six Songs To be Sung in the Open Air''), which will be part of Chorale Connecticut's spring concert, "A Garden of Songs."
The concert will take place at the Paul Mellon Arts Center at Choate Rosemary Hall on Friday at 7:30p.m. This is the first time that a Chorale Connecticut performance will be part of the events series at the Mellon arts center. The director of the center, Paul Tines, called Barnhart a year ago to ask if she and her group would be interested. "We said, yes, wonderful. Obviously, it is a beautiful facility. It's perfect for our size," Barnhart said. Barnhart is especially excited to be leading her 32 member chorale at the arts center because she was vocal teacher at Choate for seven years in the late 1980's and early '90's.
The music featured in the concert reflects the circle of life, said Barnhart. "They are songs of majesty and hope. It sort of represents life cycles. It transports us from ordinary life to the music of the soul." Gaiety and joy can be found in "The king Shall Rejoice" by Handel, while the somber "Agnus Dei" by Barer is a familiar funeral piece. It's been challenge with the Barber work for the chorale members to breathe while they're singing. The way the music is written does not allow for many pauses. "What's so difficult for a choir is, the chorus cannot sustain for minutes on end without breathing," she said. "The challenge is breathing without people knowing they're breathing. It's probably the most difficult piece we've ever taken on."
Barnhart looks forward to performing the Mendelssohn music for the second time. Chorale Connecticut performed the same music two years ago and received plenty of positive reaction. While she was pleased with the chorale's performance at the time, she has since found more intricacies in the music. "In the meantime, I've really studied them," she said. "There are so many things I now know that I didn't know."
Tema Watstein, an 11 year old violinist from New Haven, will joining the chorale for the second time this season. She appeared with the group during its "Lights, Camera, Chorale!" concert last fall. She will play "Blue Tail Fly" by Richard Nance. "She's very talented," Barnhart said. "They (the chorale) were all thrilled. They loved working with her. She knew what to do, yet she's still a little girl."
The chorale will also sing three British folksongs by Louis Halsey, "When Morning Breaks" by Petker, "Danny Boy," "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Too Darn Hot." "It's going to be a great concert," said accompanist Sandra Antonelli. "Choate is a wonderful place to perform. The seats seem so close to you when you're on stage."
Chorale Connecticut has become the perfect vehicle for Barnhart to make her dreams come true. The group began six years ago as the Meriden Symphony Chorale and broke off to become Chorale Connecticut four years ago. Antonelli said the amateur vocalists in the chorale work hard to perform a professional quality concert. "The music is always very demanding," she said. "I think they all enjoy singing and are willing to put the time in." "I dream of what can be, and I think it's so important to follow that dream," said Barnhart, who hopes for music competitions and compact discs in the chorale's future. "But honestly, it's incredible how far we've come, and we're still 32 voices. I thought it would take 10 years to get where we are in six."
MERIDEN It was a delightfully decadent afternoon at Gallery 53 on Sunday's crisp, fall afternoon. A long table down the middle of the gallery was decked out with tasty treats, with chocolate as the primary ingredient. Cakes, brownies and more tempted the crowd of about 100, while fresh fruit, cheeses, crackers and dips satisfied those without a sweet tooth.
At the head of the table was an arrangement of champagne glasses and several bottles of the bubbly, as well as gallons of apple cider. And towards the back of the gallery was Chorale Connecticut, led by director Dorothy Barnhart. Sunday's event, "Celebration in High C," was a fund raiser for the chorale, which is raising money for its performance of Handel's "Messiah" on Dec. 18. The group is hiring professional soloists and an orchestra for the concert. Local merchants like Valencia Discount Liquor and Wine Shop. Just for You...Country Gifts, Tops Market, The Stone House and more donated goods to help make the fund raiser a success.
The chorale intermittently sang selections to entertain the audience and, in between, mixed and mingled with the crowd. The entertainment included songs like the somber "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair," the joyous "Little David," and an appetizer for the December concert, "And the Glory," which is a portion of "Messiah." "It's just a nice way to get to know our supporters," said Bill Guilfoile, president of the chorale. "It's nice in a small area like this. You get a nice acoustical impression."
Norris Brown of Wilton agreed. "It's a great idea. Someone said it's like singing in the shower. The acoustics are terrific," said Brown, a member of the audience. "I love mixing art appreciation with music appreciation," Dorothy Thurston of Naugatuck said. She came in support of her brother, Guilfoile. "It's great." Chorale member Florence Thibodeau was relaxing after singing the first group of songs, and enjoying the cool air coming through the entrance of the warm gallery. "It's a wonderful group to be part of," she said. Thibodeau said that Sunday's fund raiser was something unique for the city. "It adds a different culture. The champagne, the chocolate. You don't see things like this anywhere else. It's a nice way to invite people to our concert."
Marc Rosen. owner of Valencia Discount Liquor and Wine Shop, said he likes to support local things that he loves. "We really like to get' involved," he said. "We enjoy the music, and if we want other people' to enjoy it, we have to support it." Director Barnhart appreciates that support. "What's nice is that all the local merchants shared their food and were very willing. People have been so gracious."
