Preparing for winter's warm embrace
By Contributor
The community is invited to a “Winter’s Warm Embrace” this weekend in Grand Forks. The Grand Forks Choral Society (GFCS) and Sopranos & Co. invite the community to their concerts on Saturday evening, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and the matinee Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Joan Thompson, resident of Christina Lake, is new this year as director for the choir’s shows.
“We just love her!” said member Nancy Gillmor. “The energy that woman exudes and her love/knowledge of music is mind boggling!!! We have all been enjoying our weekly singing time with her.”
Joan Thompson, director of both GFCS and Sopranos & Co., as well as elementary school music teacher and private instructor, is passionate about the art of singing.
“Singing and nurturing singers is my passion. I love the sound of voices unified in song and I know it is incredibly uplifting to the human spirit,” said Thompson. “There is more and more research out there that is uncovering a myriad of benefits of singing. It can contribute to an improved respiratory system, heightened immune system, improved brain function, better posture & balance, increased sense of well-being, energy and overall health.”
Sharing the stage with GFCS is the celebrated youth vocal ensemble Sopranos & Co. They are Grand Forks and Boundary area students between ages 12-18 who are seriously into singing, like people, and want to be in a choir. The Sopranos & Co., also directed by Joan Thompson, has given young people the opportunity to develop foundational skills and experience as performing artists for the past seven years. Guaranteed to knock your socks off!!
The shows also feature the newly formed Elle Trio as special guests. The Trio is made of Ellen Tolson on violin, Elizabeth Martin on cello, and one of GFCS’ first members Elizabeth Clark on flute. Recently, they have been entertaining intimate gatherings throughout the Boundary with classical music, and will add to the “Winter’s Warm Embrace.”
“I want to warn the community that the Grand Forks Choral Society is going green!” said Gillmor. “For this concert, we are trying new ways to do our part. There will be no programs handed out at the concerts. Erna is not happy with us, and I know that audience members will miss having something to read before the show starts, however, please come early and be part of a good old fashioned Christmas sing-along!”
The program will be printed in the Dec. 4 issue of the Boundary Weekender, as well as posted on the Grand Forks Choral Society page on whatsupingrandforks.com.
In the lobby there will be a large print program with everything expected to be in a program, as well as interesting information on GFCS, Sopranos & Co., and Joan’s new group (Sopraninos) upcoming session which begins Jan. 6, 2010.
So mark your calendars, Dec 5th and 6th, to come out of the chill winter winds and to cozy up to their fireside. Let the singers warm you with song, and embrace you with singing. Let the Christmas season begin!
Both concerts are in the Grand Forks Centennial Auditorium (GFSS). Tickets are now available for both days at Thistle Pot Gifts, at the cost of $15 adults and $10 students.
