Inland Northwest Chorale performed in Waitsburg

WAITSBURG-The Inland Northwest Chorale presented a concert at Waitsburg High School on Saturday, March 25. The free concert included Waitsburg high school and middle school students who participated in musical numbers and a dance performance as part of the show's finale.

Thirty-three members of the chorale, an accompanist, and five "singing waterglass" players practiced for eleven weeks before the Waitsburg concert. The non-profit chorale is directed by Music Director and Conductor R.Lee Fries. Waitsburg school's music teacher Elizabeth Jagelski led her elementary, middle, and high school students in this collaboration.

The musicians performed "Frostiana", written in 1959 by Randall Thompson who set music to the poetry of Robert Frost. Pieces included some of Frost's best known poems, including "The Road Not Taken," and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

Five members of the middle-high school choir, Natalie Teal, Marion Duncan, Sarah Daves, Olivia Duncan, and Ellie Teal sang "Shenandoah" and joined the chorale for the finale.

Six members of the elementary choir, Kaitlyn Paul, Lillian Carpenter, Emily Knudson, Laila Long, Katherine Roberts, and Jaylynn Gleason sang "Old Joe Clark." They performed a dance routine during the finale with fellow students Oaklee Adams, Kaitlynn Miller, Oneika Bye, and Miles Frasco.

Senior Natalie Teal, a veteran member of the school choir, was grateful for the opportunity to perform with the seasoned muscians.

The Inland Northwest Musicians consist of three ensembles: Inland Northwest Orchestra, Inland Northwest Chorale, and the Willow Creek Symphony. The volunteer members provide performances and musical education for the enrichment of musicians and citizens in the region.

Members who performed at Saturday's event included Glenn Holbrook from Pendleton, a glass player. David Cowan from Baker City is partial to the work of Robert Frost and was drawn to the performance's material.

Mary Finney is a retired librarian from Pendleton and has been with the Chorale since 1999. She said it was fulfilling to go to different areas to sing and appreciates everyone who comes to listen. She said she loves it when young people join in the performance.

Alice Massey is the concertmaster for the Inland Northwest Chorale. She is a charter member and said the chorale and audience are like family and having young people participate enriches them all. Massey has roots in the area having taught music at the Dixie School in the early eighties.

Elizabeth Jagelski was overjoyed with this opportunity for her students to perform with Lee and the ensemble. She is working to expand student participation in the school choir, and said it is small but mighty.

A reception followed the performance in the high school cage.

"It was great to be in Waitsburg," said director Friese.