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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1982)
Chorale groups attract all types Some go for an ‘easy A’ others just for the fun of it By Diane Wlnocur Of tt>» Emerald Most of the 100 or more students who audition for the University’s Chorale are "scared to death," says Prof Paul Westland As conductor, Westland knows auditioners for this rather exclusive singing group are "a little bit more frightened at this level.” But frightened or not, membership in the music school's ensembles is growing And the positions are not being filled by only music majors, either NON-MAJORS ACCOUNT FOR half of the Chorale's 77 singers, and 40 percent of the University Singers, another audition-based group And of the 95 non-auditioned singers in the Contemporary Chorus, about 75 percent do not study music If requirements do not bring them in, what is setting so many hearts to song? Students who hear a good show often return to try their own voice, Westland says He also says the cultural experience of college is an encouragement to join a singing group As students come in contact with the humanities, arts, and music of the countries and periods they study, "they may learn about classical music for the first time and become turned on to it,” Westland says Members of the Contemporary Chorus don't see their membership as quite so esoteric Junior Steve Peery says he joined the group because it was a "good means to develop (his) voice and great sight-reading practice." But he adds that he appreciates the after-concert parties and relaxed mood of the class just as much “It’s a good time, not a lot of work,” says Peery Because of the openess of their memberships, the University’s four largest choral ensembles — Contemporary Chorus, Chorale, University Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble —share some common difficulties ATTRITION CLAIMS HALF of the Contemporary Chorus each term, says Prof Stephen Stone, who claims continuity is not a problem for the group at all The class is set up loosely enough to take the changeover in stride, he says A second potential conflict in choral groups arises from the variety of people who join, and their range of ability — especially when auditions aren't mandatory. Stone calls the Contemporary Chorus' membership "as varied as you can imagine, with majors from all over the University, and ages from underclassmen to an 80-year-old long-standing member from the community Each choral group is unique in the skill level required, the type of music studied, the time it is offered, and the atmosphere cultivated by its Judge denies retrial for RCYB members Two members of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade were denied retrials Friday on arson charges brought against them for burning a yellow cloth at a speech by former Iranian hostage Victor Tomseth. Lane County Circuit Court Judge George Woodrich dismissed motions for a new trial tor John Kaiser, 25, and Nancy Whitley, 30, who were convicted of first-degree arson in October. Kaiser and Whitley were sentenced Dec 11 to 10 days in jail and two years of unsupervised probation and remain free on bail while their cases are appealed f Both music majors and non-majors join chorale groups. Photo by Mark Pynes conductor. But because students select their group for any number of reasons, and may even join two for the sake of variety, inter-group "rivalry or snobbishness does not exist,” Westland says. THE ONE CREDIT CHORALE CLASSES can be taken for a grade or pass/no pass. Westland admits most students choose the grade option because they reoeive an automatic “A" with attendance. But he insists this scarcely repays students for their time investment — three one-hour rehearsals each week, plus concert attendance and occasional extra rehearsals. High school choirs are nothing like college ensembles, according to Hope Harrison, a freshman who passed her audition to become a soprano in the Chorale "People want to be here,” she says of the group, “not because it’s an easy A', but because they want to work harder When they're there for a reason, more gets done.” Harrison says she enjoys singing with the group, and would take the class even if it weren't required of her as a future music major "I love to hear massive voices,” she says "It sounds real neat " The professional's choice: Hewlett-Packard's HP-85 K When scientists .11 Coming's Mciiic.il and Scientific Division .mil manage - mem consull.mls .11 George S, M.iy liilcriiJiion.il needed personal com puter partners, they chose the HP-85, and saved time and money. Shmildn'l n he your choice, too ’ See the HP-85 today. 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