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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 2016)
12 Wednesday, November 30, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon LIDEN: Director has built a strong chorale in Sisters Continued from page 1 Opera Company in Louisiana, and Chautuqua Opera Company in New York. From New York, Irene made a giant leap into opera that few singers have found: She went to perform in The Bayreuth Festival Theatre; an opera house north of Bayreuth, Germany, dedi- cated solely to the perfor- mance of operas by the 19th- century German composer Richard Wagner. While performing in Bayreuth, Irene had the plea- sure of studying under the leadership of the granddaugh- ter of Richard Wagner, for whom the theatre was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1872. In those operatic years, Liden sang with several orches- tras and performed solos in numerous oratorios. The singers who joined the first chorale/choir, started in Sisters by COCC’s music director Forrest Daniels, lucked out when Irene decided to take over the choir when Daniels retired. Starting out with a choir of 20 members, and the new name of the “Sisters High Desert Chorale,” the musical group grew to sometimes more than 60 voices, and the bi-annual performances of the Christmas and Easter sea- sons now find an audience of over 300 and more enjoying the local musicians following Irene’s talented direction. Several of those 60 voices spoke when they learned of Liden’s latest retirement. Janie Buell, soprano, said, “Every choir rehearsal and concert was filled with inspi- rational music and lots of fun! We were blessed to have her for so many years.” An understatement, according to Donna Moyer, pianist of several years for the Chorale: “It has been wonderful working with such a talented musician. Being a musician myself, I have learned so much from her to enhance my teaching career. I will miss her sense of humor.” Mel Miles, who has been singing tenor with he cho- rale for a hundred years, put it this way: “Irene was a tire- less worker and was always upbeat. That ain’t easy, given the characters she was try- ing to nurture musically. To be openly criticized by Irene was worn as a badge of honor by many of us. We will miss her.” “I’m feeling very glum for us, but jubilant for Irene, who will be free at last from exhausting rehearsals, trying to conduct bungling singers!” said Martha C. Lussenhop. Ren and Sue Broomhead, who are relative newcom- ers to the chorale, and good musicians in their own right, thought singing with Liden was a treat. “My wife and I have cer- tainly enjoyed the opportunity to sing under the direction of Irene over the last several years,” Ren said. “She’s very demanding in a good-natured way, but the most important part of singing under her direction is that she wants us to feel the music; that makes all the difference in performing.” Connie Gunterman, a tal- ented soprano and profes- sional musician presently in the chorale, will be director of the chorale’s spring concert performances. LETTERS Continued from page 2 services blaming Russia. In the end it appears to me as though the voters have con- trolled the narrative. Jeff Mackey s s s To the Editor: I couldn’t agree more with the general tone of the letter to the editor of November 16, by Michael Valoppi. But I think that parts of it missed the mark. By a mile. To express support for select groups in this country but not all, then to demonized the person that will lead America, then to turn around and express “love for all” is a huge contradic- tion. One cancels out the other. And it’s so divisive. The exact opposite of what America has needed, needs now — and will need tomorrow. The way I recall it from ML King, Mandela, Gandhi and Jesus is love your neighbor. All of them. Simple. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t vote for Donald Trump, even if he was the ONLY candidate on the ballot. But that’s really beside the point. Barry Clock s s s Charities, Non-Profits & Foundations Now’s the time to remind people of year-end gift giving and the tax benefits they receive Call Karen to place an ad in The Nugget 541-549-9941 Raise a Paw for Furry Friends! Pet Photos with Santa! Saturday, Dec. 3 • 11 am to 2 pm Inside at the Sisters Art Works Open House Holiday Pet Food Drive Furry Friends Foundation, 501(c)(3), needs your support to feed Sisters-area pets this holiday! Please consider a donation of dry pet-food (dog or cat). Dog biscuits and cat ation at… n o d r u o y ff o p Dro treats are also needed. r, e p a sp w e N t e g The Nug Cash donations welcome! . e v A 442 E. Main Make checks payable to to Furry Friends Foundation. or mail a check The pet-food will be undation Furr y Friends Fo distributed in conjunction rs, OR 97759 te is S , 8 9 6 x o B . P.O with the Sisters Kiwanis at E N LI N O TE A N DO Holiday Food Share program rg .o n o ti a d n u to help Sisters-area families. Furr yFriendsFo