Fall concert season a fresh start for new 3 Rivers Chorale director
From our weekly issue dated September 09, 2009
Kate Campbell (Photo provided)
Change will be in the air when the 3 Rivers Chorale begins its fall season next week.
Dave Marsten had served as the group’s director since its founding, but died last spring. Illinois Valley resident Kate Campbell was subsequently named interim director, and plans to use her years of experience as a music teacher to take the choir to the next level.
Campbell has been involved in choirs since the fifth grade, and has been providing private vocal and keyboard lessons for 30 years. She has an undergraduate degree in music from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in teaching music from Portland State University.
“I’ve been doing music all my life,” Campbell said.
Aside from all that, Campbell directed five choirs in Portland; currently directs a church choir in Grants Pass; and has arranged music ranging from Motown classics to Emmilou Harris.
Although she’s just starting as 3 Rivers Chorale’s interim director, Campbell previously has worked as a pianist with the group.
During that stint, Campbell said she imagined what it would be like to direct the choir, and established a rapport with many members.
“It’s a lively, fun bunch,” she said. “They really are a wonderful set of people.”
Fall season for the 3 Rivers Chorale will kick off on Monday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living at 466 S.W. “I” St. in Grants Pass. Auditions for singers will be conducted at 8:30 p.m., after the first rehearsal. Anyone interested in trying out should bring a piece of music to sing.
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Campbell promises that “it will be a very easy audition. “It’s not terrifying,” Campbell said. “I’ll make it fun.”
Rehearsals will be conducted until the choir’s first performances, Campbell said, which are scheduled in January. Campbell said that there were around 30 members at her audition, and that she anticipates most returning.
Despite that turnout, Campbell said that she would like to see the group enlarge. She said she hopes for more basses and tenors to audition.
Also promised by Campbell is an “eclectic” selection of music for the choir. She said that the group will cover everything from modern Latin to African music and tunes from the 17th century.
“It’s going to be really diverse,” she said.
The choir is entirely supported by its membership. Tuition covers hall rental, sheet music and compensation for the director. Members range in age from 20 years old to senior citizens.
For more information, phone Campbell at 592-2981, or e-mail info@3rivers chorale.com.
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