Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: (804) 443-3357
Fax: (804) 443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Glee Club, Ensemble, and Bell Choir Enjoy Festive Christmas Season; Ensemble to Sing at Governor's Mansion Christmas Open-House Event
On Thursday, December 3, 1998, the St. Margaret's School (SMS) Glee Club, Ensemble, and Bell Choir gave a joint nine-song performance at the Tappahannock First United Methodist Church in conjunction with the XYZ Club's weekly meeting. The girls' voices seemed to invite the afternoon sunshine into an otherwise dimly lit basement meeting room. Approximately thirty XYZ Club members were in attendance and willfully chimed in, as background accompaniment, when the girls sang Barry Braman's Christmas epic, Silent Night.
St. Margaret's 1998-99 Ensemble/Glee Club, pictured, first row; front right to top left, Amber Ellis, Yoko Ito, Yin Chien Hou, Brandy Benito, Truc Pham, Sarah Taliaferro, Tik Kiangsiri; (second row), Heather Porter, Ramu Aikawa, Pie Terry, Rachelle Slotnick, Julie Kim, Kate Deily, Yaisha Harding, Mary Emery, Katie Horsley, Kim Houck, Anne Czechanski; (third row), Natalie Rinder, Kelly Porter, Anne Bruce, Christiane Wirtz, Elizabeth Ogren, Dwann Cutler, Maryama Tagoe, Chesley Ellmer, Alexes Anderson.
Other songs given during the performance included: Coventry Carol by Leonard Stone; Christmas Bell Carol by Ruth Heller; O Come All Ye Faithful* by Glenn Eernisse. Angel's Carol by John Rutter; Bell Noel* by Barry Braman; A Holly, Jolly Holiday by John Marks; Gentle Mary Laid Her Child* by Tim McSwain; and the performance highlight, No Golden Carriage, No Bright Toy, a contemporary piece comprised of eloquent music and deft lyrics written by Gilbert M. Martin, which lifted the spirits of all present. (Asterisk, *, denotes bell choir number and/or accompaniment)
Earlier in the week on Tuesday, December 1, 1998, the combined groups performed at St. John's Episcopal Church, across the street from SMS, for the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Both of these programs were targeted at preparing the Ensemble for a special, by invitation only, performance at the Governor's Mansion in Richmond, on Friday, December 11, 1998, where the group will be part of the annual Christmas "open-house" event.
St. Margaret's 1998-99 Ensemble, pictured, front to back; right to left, Amber Ellis, Pie Terry, Heather Porter, Christine Wirtz, Rachelle Slotnick, Julie Kim, Tik Kiangsiri, Yaisha Harding, Katie Hosley, and Mary Emery.
The Governor's Mansion performance is a special honor for the girls. SMS Music Director, Beverly Gordon, says "We did not ask to sing at the "open-house" event; we were invited to come and perform. This speaks well for our program. Our girls are certainly deserving of the opportunity. I am so happy for them!" Gordon, a Richmond resident in her second year at SMS, estimates that a gathering of over 1,000 viewers will witness the Ensemble's performance at the Governor's Mansion.
The Ensemble is comprised of ten girls selected by try-outs held at the beginning of the year. Typically, Ensemble members are advanced music students, capable of singing a wide variety of musical selections including more difficult pieces. Half of this year's group are new students at SMS. Senior members include Student Director, Julie Kim, Amber Ellis, Yaisha Harding, and Katie Horsley.
"The Glee Club is a seventeen-member choral group consisting of 8th - 12th grade girls of various musical ability levels and experience. Selectees must also be capable of participating in a rigorous series of scheduled performances over the course of the school year. Kate Deily and Kim Houck are Senior Glee Club members. This diverse choral group offers a unique blend of voices, creating music that is as equally harmonious as it is beautiful. Seven nations, including China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States, are represented by Ensemble, Glee Club, and Bell Choir members.
There are several additional opportunities to attend Ensemble/Glee Club performances. On Tuesday, December 8th, the Ensemble will give a performance for approximately 150 Tuckahoe Women's Club members at the Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church. Locally, the girls will perform for the Tappahannock Lion's Club on Tuesday, December 15th, and at the Riverside Tappahannock Hospital on Wednesday, December 16th. Additionally, a one and a half hour Christmas luncheon performance followed by the annual Festival of Lessons & Carols at 5:00 p.m. will be held on Thursday, December 17th at SMS.
