Archive
IN PRAISE OF SONG
Mendelssohn Club, an all-male chorus, celebrates 100 years
JOSEPH DALTON SPECIAL TO THE TIMES UNION
Section: Unwind, Page: UW10Date: Sunday, May 10, 2009
There's a long-standing gathering of manly men every Wednesday night in Albany. Though nothing too boisterous or bawdy takes place, the guys all share an active obsession with one certain female: the muse of music.
"In her praise we gather to do her honor in fellowship together. ... We join our voices in praise of song!"
With those lyrics, the 70 members of the Mendelssohn Club of Albany will open their 100th anniversary concert Saturday night at Chancellor's Hall in the state Education Building. Titled "100 Years of Song," the program will show how, over the decades, the singers have been chasing that elusive and seductive muse across a variety of terrain, including Broadway (with selections by Kurt Weill and Cy Coleman), opera (with choruses from "Carmen," and Gilbert and Sullivan), and European classics (with works of Handel and Mendelssohn), as well as folk music and patriotic song.
"These men's voices have a rich choral sound (that evokes) both Earth and heaven. It can be glorious," says Victor Klimash. The club's conductor since 2001, Klimash is on the music faculty of Union College in Schenectady.
Polishing the repertoire for the upcoming recital, Klimash kept the men disciplined and focused during a recent rehearsal. At break, as the tenors and basses broke into conversations and laughter, Klimash glanced around the rented church hall and said, "They're a great group of guys, with a nice camaraderie. They look after each other."
Music and fellowship are of roughly equal importance to the members.
"It was just something to do on Wednesday nights when I started," says 91-year-old Jack Toohey, who's been a member for 57 years. "But now it's where all my friends are."
"It's being part of something bigger than yourself," says Sean Kennedy, 29, in his second season with the group. "One hundred years of concerts in Albany? That's more than I can do by myself!"
While rehearsals are about working on the music, the club has plenty of social events as well, many with female guests. Major concerts are scheduled for the holidays and late spring, with a other appearances at civic events through the year.
Special happenings during the club's history include appearances at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City and Carnegie Hall in New York City. After the spring concert and an end-of-season picnic, the summers are off.
"We're a drinking group that has a music problem," says Mark Werblin, 25, a member of five years who takes seriously his job as social chairman. "That means we like to have a good time and sing on the side. These guys tell the best jokes."
"If you were to invite somebody to join, they might not stick with it," says Bill Brunell, 79, whose tenure started at the 50th anniversary. "Devoting every Wednesday night to a rehearsal doesn't fit with the quick pace of life."
"It's a throwback kind of thing," says Werblin, "but we're throwback guys."
Brunell and some of the other old-timers acknowledge that the membership ranks have declined over the years, and the current crop of singers skews toward the middle-aged and retired.
But the process of joining is not arduous, and the ability to read music is not required. Each September and January, prospective members are welcome to join in the singing at several rehearsals, then have a private session with the conductor and a few other members.
"I used to sing to my kids, but they hated it," says Michael Aviza, 52, who's been in the tenor section for two years. "I was invited by a friend. This guy said if you're a member long enough, they'll come and sing at your funeral."
Joseph Dalton is a regular contributor to the Times Union.
BOX:
'One Hundred Years of Song: 1909-2009'
The Centennial Celebration Concert features solo performances by John Cimino, baritone; Richard Miller, tenor; accompaniment by Michael Clement, piano, with conductor Victor Klimash.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Chancellor's Hall, state Education Building, 89 Washington Ave., Albany (Hawk Street entrance)
Tickets: $16
Contact: 326-2319; http://www.mendelssohn.org
"In her praise we gather to do her honor in fellowship together. ... We join our voices in praise of song!"
With those lyrics, the 70 members of the Mendelssohn Club of Albany will open their 100th anniversary concert Saturday night at Chancellor's Hall in the state Education Building. Titled "100 Years of Song," the program will show how, over the decades, the singers have been chasing that elusive and seductive muse across a variety of terrain, including Broadway (with selections by Kurt Weill and Cy Coleman), opera (with choruses from "Carmen," and Gilbert and Sullivan), and European classics (with works of Handel and Mendelssohn), as well as folk music and patriotic song.
"These men's voices have a rich choral sound (that evokes) both Earth and heaven. It can be glorious," says Victor Klimash. The club's conductor since 2001, Klimash is on the music faculty of Union College in Schenectady.
Polishing the repertoire for the upcoming recital, Klimash kept the men disciplined and focused during a recent rehearsal. At break, as the tenors and basses broke into conversations and laughter, Klimash glanced around the rented church hall and said, "They're a great group of guys, with a nice camaraderie. They look after each other."
Music and fellowship are of roughly equal importance to the members.
"It was just something to do on Wednesday nights when I started," says 91-year-old Jack Toohey, who's been a member for 57 years. "But now it's where all my friends are."
"It's being part of something bigger than yourself," says Sean Kennedy, 29, in his second season with the group. "One hundred years of concerts in Albany? That's more than I can do by myself!"
While rehearsals are about working on the music, the club has plenty of social events as well, many with female guests. Major concerts are scheduled for the holidays and late spring, with a other appearances at civic events through the year.
Special happenings during the club's history include appearances at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City and Carnegie Hall in New York City. After the spring concert and an end-of-season picnic, the summers are off.
"We're a drinking group that has a music problem," says Mark Werblin, 25, a member of five years who takes seriously his job as social chairman. "That means we like to have a good time and sing on the side. These guys tell the best jokes."
"If you were to invite somebody to join, they might not stick with it," says Bill Brunell, 79, whose tenure started at the 50th anniversary. "Devoting every Wednesday night to a rehearsal doesn't fit with the quick pace of life."
"It's a throwback kind of thing," says Werblin, "but we're throwback guys."
Brunell and some of the other old-timers acknowledge that the membership ranks have declined over the years, and the current crop of singers skews toward the middle-aged and retired.
But the process of joining is not arduous, and the ability to read music is not required. Each September and January, prospective members are welcome to join in the singing at several rehearsals, then have a private session with the conductor and a few other members.
"I used to sing to my kids, but they hated it," says Michael Aviza, 52, who's been in the tenor section for two years. "I was invited by a friend. This guy said if you're a member long enough, they'll come and sing at your funeral."
Joseph Dalton is a regular contributor to the Times Union.
BOX:
'One Hundred Years of Song: 1909-2009'
The Centennial Celebration Concert features solo performances by John Cimino, baritone; Richard Miller, tenor; accompaniment by Michael Clement, piano, with conductor Victor Klimash.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Chancellor's Hall, state Education Building, 89 Washington Ave., Albany (Hawk Street entrance)
Tickets: $16
Contact: 326-2319; http://www.mendelssohn.org
