by Bea Peterson
Extra chairs had to be set up to accommodate the crowd at the Petersburgh Veterans Memorial Community Center on Friday evening, December 5. They came to hear the Premiere Concert of the Eastwick Choir. Folks with any musical interest have known for years that the Eastwick area is rich with talented musicians and vocalists. On Friday evening that talented richness displayed itself once again. Under the direction of Steven Marking and Karen Webster the choir’s repertoire included songs from the 1500s, traditional spirituals, poems set to music and traditional Christmas carols. The program provided interesting challenges for the performers and offered something different to the audience. How often does one hear the poem “In Flanders Fields” sung? Marking told the listeners that the Choir was privileged to have the composer Steve Murray, who sets poems to music, come to their rehearsal and discuss with them his perception of the poems and music.
Members of the choir are Andrew Hanerfeld, Stu Hoskins, Margaret Weinland, Jackie Fisher, Leslie Green, Nora Lamphere, Nan Lance, Susan Nelsen, Ingrid Schaaphok, Dawn Demick, Eliza Lamphere, Lindsay Cave, Felicity Hayden, Debra Land, Casey Legg, Jeanne Liebenow, Lia Nielsen and Judi Tarr. At the moment, there are only two men in the choir, Steve Marking did little conducting for this concert. Instead he offered his vocal support to the program. He encouraged more men to participate in the next concert which will be in May 2009.
The Eastwick Choir is a community based organization sponsored by You Gotta Hear This! and welcomes anyone who can carry a tune.
Besides providing a wonderful night of musical entertainment, delicious refreshments were served during intermission.