On Saturday, September 19, the Hochstein Youth Singers' year got under way with a Barnyard Sing at HYS Director Maryellen Giese’s farm – with everyone masked and properly distanced so they could sing together.
Twenty-five students came to pick up their music folders. Both ensembles – Hochstein Youth Singers and the older Hochstein Singers students – are working on social justice repertoire this year. Maryellen says, “HYS is working on a get out the vote song, and ‘Amazing Grace.’ Hochstein Singers are also working on a piece from Hamilton, and one from Sweet Honey in the Rock.”
The day was all about being together, meeting the new singers (most of whom came up from Hochstein Little Singers, with kudos to Grace Adams), and seeing and interacting with each other in person. Stones placed 10-12 feet apart marked where each singer should stand.
As the groups ran through the new pieces with Maryellen and accompanist Yasuko Kelly, they worked on developing the ensemble sound, as that’s something that’s harder to do online. A bit more of a challenge when rehearsing outside, wearing masks, with all new music, but they made it work.
Rehearsals this year will be online, concentrating on improving vocal independence, individual presentation, and sight-reading skills. The groups will have a recording or two to share as the semester progresses.
Also working with the students this year are student intern Alex Nick, a junior vocal performance/music education major at Eastman, and Hochstein alum Jon Madden (pictured here with Maryellen after a concert in February 2020). Jon is a former HYSO cellist and conductor apprentice and recently graduated as a composition major from St. Olaf College. He will be working on sight-reading and music theory instruction with our advanced Hochstein Youth Singers.
And lest you think it was all work and no play, there was time for catching up with friends; exploring the gardens; picking tomatoes, zinnias, and raspberries; and taking photos of each other, all appropriately distanced.
Maryellen added, “Just as our rehearsal was ending, a bald eagle flew over us all. We took that as a good sign!”
Here are some more photos of this special day to kick off the Hochstein Youth Singers' year. Thanks to HYS parent Blair Hornbuckle for the great photos!
