By Margo Bissen

Sweet Sounds

With memories and melodies of Mariachi music still dancing in our heads, the ASO is preparing for our next concert with visions of sugarplums, carols and all things Christmas.

The December concert, “Christmas Magic,” will feature both a children’s chorus and an adult chorus. The children’s chorus (which I have the privilege to direct) has been in rehearsal for several weeks.  The children are eager to sing with the orchestra and have been diligently preparing for their performance. The adult chorus, under the direction of Sonia Larson, will begin rehearsals on Sunday, Nov. 9. Rehearsals will be at the First Congregational Church in Austin from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday evenings.

All area singers are invited to be part of this adult choir. It’s a great opportunity for folks who love to sing, but are unable to make a long-term or even yearly commitment to a choir or vocal ensemble. You only have to commit to a month of rehearsals and in exchange you enjoy the opportunity to perform great choral repertoire with your local symphony orchestra.

This year’s major work will be the Vivaldi “Gloria,” a favorite among choral pieces from the Baroque era.

The Riverland College choir, under the direction of Scott Blankenbaker, will also join the adult chorus in this concert. A massed choir of both children and adults will perform a lovely rendition of “In the Bleak Midwinter.”

Over the years, the ASO has programmed many choral works. In fact, a collaboration of singers and instrumentalists was the impetus for the ASO. Thoughts and dreams of a symphony orchestra began when string players were accompanying the Austin Oratorio Society in productions of “Messiah” and “Elijah” in 1946.

During the next 11 years, a group of musicians would occasionally get together to play for fun, perhaps putting on small concerts in the high school orchestra room. After one of these concerts, violist John Madura asked “Why can’t we have our own symphony orchestra?” And so it began. Incorporation papers were filed on Oct. 17, 1957, and a 21-member board was chosen to oversee the organization. Paul Heltne, music coordinator of the Austin High School, was appointed symphony conductor with John Madura as its first manager.

And for 58 years the symphony has continued the tradition of not only performing classical symphonic works, but also programming great choral works.  We welcome all interested singers to join the adult chorus for our December concert. Contact Sonia Larson for more information at sonial@charter.net or call 507-433-8719

Mark your calendars for a little “Christmas Magic” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, and enjoy the sweet sounds of harmony the ASO has to offer.