Stepping Up, Singing Out: A New Choir Member's Impressions

By ​Christina Sunstone, Alto, Magnolia Chorale

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When I walked into the first practice of the program year for Magnolia Chorale a few weeks ago, I brought with me a lot of choral singing experience. Some of it was even with Magnolia Chorale itself. I sang with them for one semester, back pre-pandemic. But life got complicated for all of us about then, and my own path meandered away from the Chorale for several years.

This year, though, I finally had the time and opportunity to sing with them again, and as I stepped back through the doors of Pilgrim Hall at Magnolia United Church of Christ, I felt like a kid walking in on her first day at a new school. Who here are “my people” (i.e. the altos)? Is the new “teacher” (choir director Joseph To) nice? Will there be snacks?
Now, midway through the semester, I know the answers to these questions (and a few more).

A few impressions:
The rehearsal space is pretty pleasant. We meet in Pilgrim Hall at Magnolia United Church of Christ, on McGraw Street just west of Magnolia Village. (The choir uses the space but is not affiliated with the church.) Pilgrim Hall is more of a meeting room than a musical space, so the acoustics are somewhat subdued. But there’s a nice piano and an accompanist —Zhanhong Kuang—who really knows what she’s doing.

​This choir is a well-organized and well-established arts organization. It’s been around since 1989, and it has a board of directors and a long list of well-defined volunteer roles which are filled by members of the choir. These roles range from music librarian to rehearsal recorder to blog post writer (hi!), and together they keep the choir running smoothly.

“My people” aren’t just the altos. Some of the people in this choir have been singing in it for years, while others signed up when I did, just last summer. It’s a no-audition choir, which means there’s a range of experience. The Chorale’s website has a “for members” tab that includes practice resources and advice to help us learn the music, the language, and the phrasing of each term’s repertoire. The experienced singers in the group are helpful and kind to the newcomers. But I’m finding it’s critically important to practice on my own between rehearsals!

The choir director is indeed nice. Joseph To directs several Seattle-area choirs, and also teaches middle school music, so he’s a busy guy who knows both how to draw focus and how to pivot when needed. He keeps the mood of the rehearsal positive and productive. He enlists colleagues and friends to come in and lead mini-workshops on things like vocal warm-ups and foreign-language pronunciation (important this term, when every piece we’re learning is either in Latin or in French!).

And yes, there are even snacks. The different sections of the choir are assigned rehearsal dates on which they’ll be the ones to set up the tables, bring a little food and drink, and tidy it all up when rehearsal is over. The snacks are simple, but they’re a pleasant diversion during the short break mid-rehearsal, and sometimes—like those times you’ve rushed to practice without stopping at home for dinner—they’re even important.
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I’m really enjoying learning the music for our concerts in December. Fauré’s choral works are renowned, but I’ve never sung them, and let me tell you they are lovely. I hope you come to hear us—and bring your friends — when we step up and sing out on December 14 and 15 at Magnolia Lutheran Church.

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