Fond memories: from “Breathless Sopranos” to finger puppets

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​By Nancy Reeder, Soprano, Magnolia Chorale since 1994 

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Music–specifically singing–has been a part of my life since I can remember. I recollect sitting beside a “record player” as a little girl, listening to a Disney 45 RPM record, and wanting nothing more than to sing like the lady on the record. As a youngster, I sang in church choir, and in other choirs all the way through high school and college. It was a delight to find out about Magnolia Chorale through a poster in Magnolia Village. That was 30 years ago this spring. It has been a wonderful experience and it’s hard to believe that we’re about to celebrate the 35th anniversary on May 4 and 5.

I have quite a bit of history with the Chorale. My original audition was with Don Austin who was the founding Music Director. A phone call with him yielded a requirement for me to come to the audition prepared to speak on the subject of the “Diminished Third”. I scoured my theory books and music dictionary. I could find nothing. Don, who was a jokester, revealed to me that there was no such thing as a “Diminished Third”. We had a good laugh.
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As a soloist one holiday concert, I carefully watched Don the Director for my cues. We made eye contact and he then he began to carefully direct using one of his fingers which had a finger puppet with flashing lights. Totally relaxed me!

Life went on… I had two pregnancies during my time. My daughter was born weeks after the concert featuring the “Breathless Sopranos”. My fellow singers Mimi and Jamie also had these enormous babies pushing on their diaphragms. None of us could catch our breath. And…our babies were all born within weeks of one another.

Never one to lose an opportunity, I seized the moment with my obstetrician that year and recruited her to sing beside me as a soprano. She was a wonderful addition, and I gained an equally wonderful friend.
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I have enjoyed the opportunity to make beautiful music and make new friends. The experience has been so enriching that I have been able to recruit two neighbors to join me! I want to continue to hone my musical craft. Magnolia Chorale allows me to do that. 

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