CHS choir goes ‘pro' in opera

COLUMBUS - The Columbus High School Concert Choir had an opportunity to plan, participate and perform in a professional musical concert with professional musicians.

The choir was featured in “A Choral Collaborative Concert” presented by the Omaha Symphony and Opera Omaha Sunday.

The event gave seven area high school choirs the opportunity to receive mentoring opportunities with professional musicians.

Senior choir members Sara Lee and Nathan Zwick said it was an experience they would not forget.

Lee said when choir director Fred Ritter proposed the idea she was hesitant at first.

“When I thought of opera, I thought of the fat lady singing at the end of the concert,” she said. “I definitely respect it now.”

Nathan Zwick said he has also changed tunes since Ritter brought up the idea.

“I was apprehensive since many people have said that opera is boring,” Zwick said. “I respect it now.”

The students' attitudes about opera changed because they now understand the work and discipline that it takes to sing opera.

Ritter said the students began rehearsing in early October.

“At different points there was a lot of frustration, but they didn't give up and continued to work at it,” Ritter said.

“It really raised the bar of expectations for my students and what they could do,” he said.

The choir learned music in multiple languages, including French, German, Italian and Russian.

Lee said, “We got to learn about different types of music, how to sing them and what they mean.”

Although Lee said she had learned music in a couple of different languages before, the language barrier was still an obstacle.

“I had problems, as did everyone else, because we are used to speaking English,” Lee said.

Zwick said some languages came easier than others.

“Russian came pretty easy. The Italian one I had problems with,” Zwick said.

But in the end both students said the payoff made it all worth it.

Both said they were impressed by strong vocal and playing abilities of the professionals.

Zwick said he was even more impressed by the acoustics of Omaha's new Holland Performing Arts Center where they performed.

“The acoustics were absolutely phenomenal,” Zwick said.

Ritter said in the end the choir students seemed to appreciate symphonic music more after their experience. He hopes future choir students will be given the same opportunity and asked the Omaha Symphony and Opera Omaha to invite them again.

Ritter said without a full symphony orchestra and opera soloists, a repeat performance is not expected in Columbus any time soon.

But if friends, family or opera enthusiasts wish to hear the performance, Ritter said Nebraska Public Radio is scheduled to play it on air in five to six weeks. A specific date and time has not been set.