Monday, December 5, 2016

WINTER'S CHILD-MOUNTAIN MELODY

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What a treat at Christmas time to enjoy Mountain Melody Women's Chorus  present traditional and contemporary songs for the holiday season.  I saw them Saturday evening in Murphys;  they sang in Valley Springs yesterday and will be at the Covenant Church in San Andreas Dec. 10th at 4 p.m. They will sing at the Vieuh Winery Dec. 11th, in Douglas Flat, at 2:30 p.m.  Above is the whole group under the direction of Julia Shelby.
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Stage lighting is not very friendly and I went back stage to say hello to Marta Johnson and Carol Mertens.
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I don't know everyone but you may recognize a friend. The group started in Mountain Ranch. Their husbands serve as MC's and they drive the van, so to speak. They are also accompanied by Marge Biagi-Castro on Piano and a very talented flutist whose name was not in the program.
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At intermission, feet up, the ladies enjoy a bit of chatter about their performance, and rest their voices.

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Getting  ready for the last half of the program involved some costuming for a special number.
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At showtime, she looked like this. I believe she is Jennifer Robinson.

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A second comedic number required a special costume, too. You can tell these women are having fun while they entertain us.
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One of the nice things Julia does is give various singers a chance to solo for brief out-takes.
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I should have asked everyone's name. Darn.
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To join the group, you must pass muster and Mary Howell (right) was publicly praised as their newest member who "survived" her first year. On stage she was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

The group accepts donations to cover the costs of travel, music royalties, and rehearsal space. What a treasure we have in the Motherlode.

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