Choir wows audience with 21st season kick-off

The first performance of the 21st season of the Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble featured classical music from all over the world and drew loud applause from an appreciative audience Sunday afternoon.

The performers sung their annual fall concert at the First United Methodist Church, to rows of silent supporters sitting in wooden pews.

International flavor was the theme of the performance, as melodies from Italy to Ireland were sung.

“They sound like something you’d hear in a larger town — Visalia, or Fresno,” said audience member Jim McFarlin.

McFarlin was in attendance supporting both his wife, Paulette, and his sister-in-law, Yvonne Hansen. Both are alto singers in the ensemble.

The group, made up of 33 singers, were formally attired in black and carried large folders with sheet music.

Conductor Fred Knutson, who held the performance for about 10 minutes past its scheduled beginning due to a missing shirt, spoke to the audience between songs.

“I can say with my whole heart, we are now legal,” Knutson said, referencing the group’s 21st season.

He gave a short explanation before many of the songs, providing attendees with an informative contextual background.

Knutson added a literary flair to the performance, reading the poem “I am Not Yours” by Sara Teasdale before the group sang the musical version of the text.

Though international music in a range of languages was showcased, three of the 11 selections were American in origin, including the traditional piece “Agnus Dei” by Paul Halley.

Sopranos Sasanna Efseaff and Vicky Franco had solo performances. Ruben Gomez performed on soprano saxophone; Ginger Parks played the flute.

The Argentinian melody “Misa Criolla” featured percussion performances by Lucas Cartageña, Alejandro Gonzalez and Quinn Proctor.

Tenor Michael Wait, pianist Richard Robinson, guitarist Patti Torrey and string bassist Andrew Mitchell were also featured.

--Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.