PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: CHORAL UNION DRAWS TALENT FROM COMMUNITY AND UNIVERSITY

To the untrained ear, Room 205 in Southeast Missouri State's Brandt Music Hall appeared to be giving birth to some of the sweetest strains of Handel's "Messiah."

But to John B. Egbert, coordinator of choral and vocal studies at Southeast, the wind pipes of these 50-plus Choral Union singers sounded willing but a tad rusty.

"C'mon sopranos," exhorted Egbert, tapping a short metal wand against a music stand. "You sound nice and rested, but sort of rusty, huh?"

And so it went on the first of many Tuesday night practice sessions, all of which will lead to the culmination of an early May performance of parts II and III of Handel's Messiah.

Appropriately enough, local singers like Carl Train, a biology professor at Southeast, shook off some of the rust with a few mellifluous refrains of "Hallelujah, Hallelujah".

"To me, this is just a hoot," said Train. "It's a nice diversion from the work I concentrate on each day. There's a lot of energy in this room and it's working toward a good cause."

Train is one of many area music enthusiasts whose rich backgrounds provide the Southeast Choral Union with plenty of experience, talent and gusto.

"This is my fifth time participating in the Choral Union," said Train. "I sang in high school while growing up in Central Kansas and I do have a background in music, but this is the best group I've ever sung with," he said.

Nona Chapman, who is an avid participant in each Choral Union event, sees this as a rare opportunity to express herself while partaking in one of her favorite pastimes.

"It's not everyday you can join a group as talented as this one and sound this good," said Chapman, who majored in music. "I do a lot of volunteer work, so this is a nice change of pace," she said. "It's very relaxing and rewarding. It does wonders for stress."

Both Chapman and Train participated in the first performance of Handel's Messiah in November.

In terms of artistic productions, this is the second act of a three-part play.

"Most of the local singers are back," said Chapman, casting an appreciative eye on the ensemble.

"The students are new and that's nice because you get to see familiar singers and meet some new ones."

Said Egbert," The performance of the Christmas section of "Messiah" was a great success. We had approximately 50 community singers to augment the student members of the choir, and that makes such a difference in the performance level of this ensemble. We're hoping to have as many as 100 or 125 singers either this spring or by next spring."

Egbert indicated there are likely other singers in the area who are not aware of the opportunity to sing with such a gifted group.

"I really believe that many community singers are unaware of the tremendous contribution they could make to this group," he said. "Of course I am continually amazed to discover how many community singers are simply unaware that they can come to the University on Tuesday evenings and sing in this group without having to pay any fees or even audition."

Rosel Feder, SSND, who is a member of the Notre Dame order of nuns, has a lengthy background in music. She is currently working as a music director at St. Mary's.

"It's a labor of love to be able to participate in something like this," said Feder. "I have a deep love for music and this gives me a great outlet to express that with so many talented and friendly singers," she said.

Music is John Broom's life. He is the music director at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. To Broom, the Choral Union enables him to become a player instead of a coach.

"It affords me the chance to stand on the other side and join some of the best singers I've ever met," he said. "You take what we've got right here, add the students who are music majors and the orchestra and you've got something very special.

"The friendships you strike up during something like this just makes it even more of a rewarding experience. I feel like I've gone through a vigorous workout after one of these rehearsals. It leaves me with a great feeling."