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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 2019)
8A | SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS Gold Choir from page 1A Jack is also a bass, which adds a lot to a choir of mostly girls. “There’s a culture here,” Morganti said. “Just like there’s a culture to band, to science. This is his first time experi- encing that.” The Gold Choir is also the competing choir at Siuslaw, with hopes to attend an Ore- gon School Activities Associ- ation (OSAA) festival in April to qualify for state competi- tion. “Both choirs are good,” Morganti said. “The other thing about this group — and you should see the other groups, they’re wonderful — but these students really are the most serious group when it comes down to working hard and wanting to be good. That’s the difference. They really have their eyes on the goal.” In past years, Siuslaw High School has had enough inter- est to sustain three choirs. The school is building back in that direction thanks to Morganti’s instruction. He has help, too, in the form of his wife Mary, who comes in to play piano while Morganti gives individ- ual attention to sections or students. Specific pieces are required for the choir to learn for fes- tivals. These feature complex harmonies and can require soloists, such as senior Pat- rick Rowley in “City Called Heaven,” to take center stage. While not every student will get the chance to have a solo, Morganti acknowledges the success of each individual. “I nominated Danielle Goldblatt and two other stu- dents last spring for the Or- egon Ambassadors of Music program,” Morganti said. “In late October Danielle men- tioned to me that she had signed up, to my pride and pleasure. … Danielle is a hard-working student, a ded- icated young musician and a pleasure to have in class.” “I just love singing, always have. It’s fun and I get to ex- press myself,” Danielle said. “I basically grew up in the choir at school. I’ve always loved choir and always did the extra choir programs that they had. With this opportunity, I will get to represent Florence and bring music and joy to other people in Europe.” Danielle is the second Siu- slaw student who plans to tour Europe as an Ambassador of Music through Voyageurs In- ternational, Ltd., this summer. “The requirements to go into the program are being a good person, being responsi- ble and being able to think,” she said. “And this is actually my second time being select- ed. I didn’t get to go my soph- omore year because we were moving at the time.” Students must raise $6,000 by the end of May to go on the trip. Siuslaw High School sophomore Lizbeth Gar- cia-Galvan is also planning to go — though her trip is largely funded already thanks to gen- erous community donations. “Danielle deserves any help she can get, too,” Morganti said. “She has had tremendous difficulty raising funds.” According to Jennifer Gold- blatt, Danielle’s mom, the fam- ily is relatively new to the area and hasn’t figured out the best way to raise funds here. “We moved here from a small town, John Day in east- ern Oregon, about two years ago. In John Day, the local stores allowed students to sell crafts or candy bars or raffle tickets as fundraisers in front of their stores. Every store I have contacted here has said that they don’t allow that,” Jen- nifer said. While the Goldblatts have sold crafts at some local craft fairs, the amount raised thus far has been nominal. They said they would appreciate any help from the community, including ideas for ways they can continue to raise money on their own. Beyond her love of vocal arts, Danielle also takes pho- tos and participates in 4-H. She hangs her photos at Flor- ence Regional Arts Alliance’s Art Center, 120 Maple St., and was a featured student artist last spring. Her art continues to be for sale there. “I love being able to capture moments in pictures and be- ing able to keep those forever. And I love sharing my experi- ences through my photogra- phy,” Danielle said. For students from Siuslaw, traveling with the Ambassa- dors will be a once-in-a-life- time opportunity. “The program goes to seven different countries in Europe, and we sing in six of those. We go to Switzerland, Germa- ny, Italy, France, England and Lichtenstein. And I believe this year there are 175 peo- ple going in band and choir,” Danielle said. While performing abroad is a big part of the draw, she also looks forward to experiencing new cultures and learning. “It represents Siuslaw High School in Europe,” she said. “Personally, for me, it will ob- viously be fun. I’ll also learn how to be a better singer by singing with all these other students who got selected. And I get to learn new music and experience a different cul- ture. I want to learn how the music differs from country to country.” PHOTOS BY CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS Bruce Morganti nominated Danielle Goldblatt (above left) as an Oregon Ambassador of Music. Danielle is a member of the advanced Siuslaw High School Viking Gold Choir and relatively new to the area. She will need to raise $6,000 by the end of May in order to go on the Voyageurs International, Ltd., trip to Europe. Danielle also said she would bring as much of the trip back with as she could through group talks and her own pho- tography. Back in the music room at Siuslaw, Morganti continued to instruct students. “You know, something is happening here,” he said when the students achieved his goal for the day. “You guys are re- ally singing in tune. Can’t you hear it? You’re tuning to each other, which is what you’re supposed to do. That’s nice unison. Did you hear how it stayed in tune once the piano fades? Good for you. I don’t know why it’s happened.” “Well, you taught us,” one student answered. Morganti smiled. “It probably has something to do with being able to hear what we’re doing. The tone is better, and it’s all totally tied together,” he said. “Basses, you got lost, right? But you found your spot. It’s far more important to believe that you can correct. You can find your way.” For Danielle, she still hopes to find her way beyond Siu- slaw and into the wider world. “Florence is beautiful and I love taking pictures of it,” she said. “Moving here has given me the chance to take pictures of the beach and all the water- falls and stuff. I love it. And I like the school. Everyone is su- per nice. … I just hope people can support me to be able to represent Florence. We’ll learn a lot and learn how to become better singers. And I can shoot photographs in Europe and bring them back to share.” For information on donat- ing to Danielle’s Ambassadors of Music fund, contact Jenni- fer Goldblatt at jendanjay@ gmail.com. 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There are many opportunities to volunteer and a variety of skills and talents are always in need. Volunteer interest forms may be found online, at the shelter and at our Thrift Shop on Bay Street. www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/volunteer/ Peace Harbor Volunteers Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers, you will fi nd an area of interest in a caring organization. 400 9th Street, Florence 541-997-8412 ext. 2218 Buying or Selling? I can help. 88246 Chestnut St. Mapleton – Move-in ready, 2 bdrm, 1 bath home located on a large corner lot in Mapleton. Spacious living room with large picture windows in the living and dining room. Beautiful new laminate fl ooring throughout the main living areas. 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