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Otter Creek Choral Society: Making Music a Celebration of Life

photo provided Director Ann Sullivan takes the group through a new piece.

photo provided Joined in song, the group has fun and loves to share its passion for music.

Tuesday October 27, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

   You will hear two sounds that resonate throughout the quiet of the church entryway as you enter the Vergennes Congregational Church at 7:00 p.m. on Monday nights, the sound of a piano and then the voice of choir conductor Ann Sullivan saying, “Pull out that note, you see what they mean. Again, sopranos, praise it with your voice.” Whether a casual observer or a music aficionado the mission of the group meeting there is evident - music is a celebration of life and the members of the Otter Creek Choral Society are there to enjoy it together.

    The Otter Creek Choral Society is currently entering its tenth year and was the brainstorm of Vergennes resident Wayne Hobbs whose tenor voice would eventually carry him far from his roots in Vergennes to Carnegie Hall, Broadway and Europe. Wayne’s passion for music translated into a choir where there were no auditions and if you loved to sing you came. Mother Connie Hobbs, one of the original 45 members that showed up that first night still points out to all interested that the Otter Creek Choral Society is for all people of all levels of music. “It’s open to everyone,” she remarked. “Come and participate. We have a great time and we simply love to sing. Whenever Wayne comes back every now and then he loves to see it alive and people joined together to sing.”

     The choir is comprised of a very dedicated group of members who have an active performance schedule giving four concerts a year, two in winter and two in spring. Long time member Anna Husk began singing in college and remarked, “Music is a part of me. It has always been my outlet and is simply joy. Getting to know someone else and sharing music makes it extra rewarding.”

     Walking around the room during the practice it is amazing to see the cross section of members present. Hair ranges from brown to silver and experiences in music span the gambit, but when the harmonies come together it is simply about the beauty of music, singing and celebrating life. Member Mary Beth Hamilton started singing over eight years ago. “Singing just makes you happy,” she reflects. “I like performing all styles and we go a little of everything. It isn’t about having the perfect voice. It is just about having fun and singing.”

    “Tenors and basses are you happy with page 6?” questions second year director Ann Sullivan. “No. Well then, once more from the top.” With a smile and a wave of a wrist the practice resumes and the room fills with the sound of voices praising angels and the works of God. Sitting to the left of center are the male voices including that of Addison resident Red Clark and when I asked why he came every Monday night, he chuckled and replied, “Esther Favor. She was my second grade teacher and taught me music through high school. She always told us that music was for fun and to feel it. I still do today.”

    The Otter Creek Choral Society’s first winter concert is scheduled for December 5th & 6th at the Congregational Church located on Water Street, Vergennes. The Otter Creek Choral Society is hard at work doing what its members love best, singing and waiting to share that joy with the community. “You pray twice when you sing,” one member reminded me. “It lifts your heart.”

    One fact is for certain. The sounds and joy felt every Monday night by the fifty or so members of the Otter Creek Choral Society is contagious. Whether you attend their first winter concert in December or stop by a practice on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. in Vergennes, the group extends a warm open invitation to join their group. “Come and bring your love of music,” welcomes Ann Sullivan. “We gather strength from each other and love to sing. It is just that simple. I absolutely love it- such a stress reliever and such a wonderful group to work with!  I encourage anyone who likes to sing to come and join us-we meet every Monday from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Congregational Church.  If you would liike to hear the end results of all this practicing, please plan on attending our Winter Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 5, at 7:00 or on Sunday afternoon, December 6 th . We promise that during this "most wonderful time of the year"  we will  "wonder as we wander", while we are "Dreaming' of a White Christmas" and we will see that there is definitely  "Joy in our Lives" while we sing with good cheer!  

      Simple in word but wonderful to experience, songs fill the air and burrows into that place in our hearts where music greets you with memories, warmth and elicits a smile. As the doors of the church swing open for the reporter to leave, the group finishes the refrain of one classic hymn that challenges all to “…praise and celebrate his love.”  “There,” rings the voice of Ann Sullivan, “that piece is ready and raring to go.”

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