Choral group sings praises of youngsters

By TIFFANNIE BOND

VIEW STAFF WRITER

The Celebrity City Chorus brought a taste of old barbershop-style singing to a group of young voices Nov. 11, during an all-day workshop and concert finale at the Joker's Wild Casino in Henderson.

The 37 participants consisted of young women from Centennial, Western, Eldorado, Basic, Mojave and Cheyenne high schools as well as Lawrence Junior High; Lied, Swainston, and Molasky middle schools; and Tarr Elementary School.

Sweet Adeline's International, the ruling organization for Celebrity City Chorus, has incorporated the use of young voices in other regions, but this was a first for the Celebrity City Young Women in Harmony Chorus.

"We're just beginning here," said Linda Taylor, director of host chorus. "We couldn't be happier with the turnout."

Typically, a dozen girls will attend a workshop of this nature. For the first time out, 20 of the students came from Centennial, and the total gives the young women's chorus enough voices to go into rehearsal.

The success of the workshop and concert hinges on quartets from Celebrity City enticing students with performances in their respective classrooms.

Many choir teachers in the Las Vegas Valley don't have roots in the four-part harmony, a capella style -- a technique that can be taught but takes time to master, Taylor said.

"We just tried to get into the schools and plant the seed," Taylor said. "The teachers find out it enhances their programs."

Because barbershop is a skill most of the girls hadn't been taught before, learning whole songs and one duet with the chorus took some concentration.

To Taylor, they performed like professionals.

"My chorus would have a tough time with that," Taylor said. "And my chorus is used to singing in four-part harmony."

Nicki Bakko, choir director at Centennial, was present to lend her support and field an offer to direct the young women's chorus -- an offer she's yet to accept.

The technique challenged the Centennial students, whom Bakko is trying to expose to higher skilled music such as barbershop.

Aside from the learning aspects of the workshop, Bakko said protecting the style -- and passing it from one generation to another -- is important.

"It's one of the few styles of music that has American heritage," Bakko said.

She hopes the students will develop an affinity for barbershop-style music.

"I hope they bring back energy, technique and style and just a general passion for singing and above and beyond a passion for music," Bakko said.

For April Creech, a senior at Basic who recently moved to the valley, attending the workshop was a new experience.

Unlike many of the girls at the workshop, Creech sings recreationally and not in a school choir. Her step-grandmother and Celebrity City Chorus member, Sylvia Erzinger, encouraged her to participate to stretch her vocal skills and meet girls her age from around the valley.

"It was something to do, and I like to sing," Creech said. "I've never been in a choir before. It's all new, and I wanted to say I did it."

After a long day, both generations were tired but were happy with the outcome.

"I wanted to cry after they sang," said Karen Lewison, Celebrity City assistant director and coordinator for the young women's chorus, of the song the choruses sang together. "It was hard to sing on."

Those interested in the Young Women in Harmony or Celebrity City choruses can call 223-7893.