January 25, 2006
Sweet sound of music success
Central Choral-Aires deliver singing Valentine's to raise money for Europe trip
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
A new twist on singing for a supper, members of Traverse City Central High School's Choral-Aires will be singing around Valentine's Day for their breakfast, lunch, supper and plane fare.
For the second year, the 16-member choral ensemble will divide into four quartets, don formal attire and serenade someone's loved one. A rose and the delivery of a personal message will round out the Singing Valentines offerings, which will be available from February 11-14.
"Last year it was real successful," said Jeff Cobb, choral director at the school. "We've got a great group of parents who do so much when the need arises; they drove the quartets last year."
All proceeds from their performances will help send them in March to Salzburg and Vienna, Austria, for the Mozart 250th Anniversary Festival. The students will spend six days in Austria just before spring break, giving five performances in a range of venues in both cities as well as playing tourist.
"It's going to be an incredible trip and they are going to be singing in some awesome locations," noted Cobb. "They've been working so hard all year and just performing at such a high level."
"It should be a life changing experience," he added.
Each Choral-Aires member has to raise $2,000 for the trip, which Cobb arranged after July's London terrorist bombings scratched that planned summer destination. Cobb, who had been invited in previous years to bring his students to the Mozart Festival, made some calls last summer and quickly switched gears from London to Austria.
"I think there are very few high school groups invited," noted Cobb.
Since last summer, the students have been fundraising on their own as well as in a group, performing in a range of venues to raise cash. They are highly-motivated to complete their money-raising tasks and leave on the trip.
"Last year we went to New York and this year Austria," said Madison Ford, a senior at the school. "Just the experience will be amazing and it is a good way to get stronger as a group."
Under Cobb's direction, the students are preparing a repertoire of 30 songs for the trip, including Mozart in Latin and Brahms in German.
"It's challenging music but we'll get through it - we can learn a piece in two hours," said Cora Pellerito, a senior. "The whole experience we're going to have, singing in cathedrals, the culture. I've never been to Europe before."
The Choral-Aires will have 90 minutes of music ready by the time they leave and can alter the program as needed. Their accompanist Peggy Johnson will travel with them, as well as Cobb and five parent chaperones.
"We can change the line up depending on the venue we're going to be singing in," said Cobb, who is also considering a send-off concert for a fund-raiser.
Cobb has also arranged for the students to tour Salzburg and Vienna as well as visit the graves of Brahms, Beethoven and Strauss in a Vienna cemetery. They will visit cathedrals, the Schonbrunn palace in Vienna, the Maribel Gardens in Salzburg and take in an opera at the State Opera House. The students will also visit the Mauthausen concentration camp.
"That will be really important," he said.
For more information or to reserve a Singing Valentine - which includes song, rose and message for $45- contact Cobb at 938-2428 or overthehiller3940@yahoo.com.