Choral-Aires ready to 'Step Into Spring'
If "barbershop music" makes you think of four gentlemen crooning "Sweet Adeline" with straw hats clasped to their chests and bands around their shirt sleeves, you're not alone.
And if that's the image in your head, you're probably not familiar with the Choral-Aires Chorus.
Yes, the a cappella chorus sings four-part harmonies in that familiar barbershop style. But the sound comes from the strength of 115 voices.
Women's voices.
The group, founded more than 40 years ago, gives women a chance to sing in close harmony. The chorus performs regularly as a whole as well as in smaller ensembles, and has placed as high as fourth in international competition.
The Choral-Aires performs next on Saturday, March 6, at "Step Into Spring," its 23rd annual fashion show to raise money to support the group's endeavors. Chorus President Peggy Arnold tells us more.
Q. What is your group's mission? A. The Choral-Aires Chorus provides an opportunity for women to sing four-part a cappella music in the barbershop harmony style. Our primary mission is to achieve consistent musical excellence through competition and music education. The personal growth and development of members is promoted by our friendly and supportive atmosphere.Q. How do you work toward your goals? A. Our director provides weekly education in vocal skills, and our region (Lake Michigan Region 3, Sweet Adelines International) offers workshops twice a year staffed by a musical faculty to give continual education to help members become better and stronger singers. Our chorus hires coaches from within our organization to regularly teach the members techniques to better their vocal and performance skills. We regularly compete at regional and international competitions to keep our chorus goals on track in achieving musical excellence.Q. When and why did the chorus start? How have you grown? A. The Choral-Aires Chorus was chartered in Naperville in October, 1960, with 44 members. Since then, the chorus has more than doubled, with 115 current members.Q. What kind of successes have you had? A. The chorus has won 11 regional first-place medals and continuously represents Region 3 at the Sweet Adelines International Convention, placing as high as fourth worldwide.Q. What challenges does the chorus face? A. Maintaining and recruiting members, and finding new avenues for revenue.Q. What is your group best known for in the community? How does the chorus contribute to the community? A. We have, as a group, held a "Pink Night" to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We are considering how we can support this cause further. We are a member of Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and recently provided the entertainment at its annual meeting and awards dinner.We have provided musical performances for assisted living communities and nursing homes in the area.The chorus has received a grant from the Illinois Arts Council for the past two years, and we have performed for WTTW Channel 11 to help the Public Broadcasting System educate its viewers of various arts and to encourage support of the arts.Q. Who are your members? What qualities do you look for in new members? #160;A. We offer any woman who can carry a tune the opportunity to sing in an organization that promotes musical education and excellence. This is a sisterhood of women who love to sing and perform whether in a small setting or on a huge stage. Our members range in age from 13 to 78, live in many of the Chicago suburbs (and some in Indiana and Wisconsin), and come from varied backgrounds and careers. We look for women who are passionate about music, energetic and want to be a part of a tightly knit community.Q. What do you expect of your members?A. Members should attend weekly practices, which last around three hours. To compete, members must attend all rehearsals six weeks before competition.Members are encouraged to be a part of various committees to help with the administration of the chorus or help in the musical development.Q. How can readers get involved?A. Visitors are always welcome. We rehearse from 7 to 10 p.m. every Monday at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church Recreation Center, 345 S. Kenilworth Ave., Elmhurst. Readers interested in visiting can call membership chairwoman Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387.