The Chorale as Phoenix:

First credit/noncredit class deemed ‘amazing’

By C.S. GILBERT

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

It was with a certain trepidation that I, a registered continuing education student in the Florida Keys Community College’s mixed vocal chorus, known as Keys Chorale, took the elevator to the second floor of the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at about 6:50 p.m. and approached the classroom.

New Director James Cutty’s official employment (he is the former accompanist, known universally as Jim) had only just been announced; speaking with him the day earlier, he knew of only three registrants. That was scary. The last semester’s end had been confusing, with the abrupt firing of a well-loved director. Jim carried us through the Spring Concert and lo! he has the necessary master’s degree in vocal music to qualify as a proper college instructor and, therefore, the college can offer the 7 to 10 p.m. class not just as continuing ed but for credit as well.

Once inside, the laughter and chatter of lots of voices immediately allayed all fear. It was a happy buzz. Minutes later, when I signed in and claimed my packet of music, I was #30. And people kept arriving, including some I hadn’t seen for a year or two. Just imagine when all the snowbirds come back!

Calling the class to order, Cutty introduced our new accompanist, Will Johnson, a Broadway veteran who “plays circles around me,” the instructor said. He also introduced some rules, including calling if you were to be absent. “We need a breath of fresh air, new energy,” he said. He had high standards “and I want them met, but not if you don’t enjoy what you do. We’ll try to develop a sound.”

Then after a few more housekeeping details, a lesson on vowels and a bit of practice, we were off — and the tone, if you will, for the whole semester was set by a run-through of “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah. It was so amazing that I got goose bumps. True, most of us were at least familiar with the piece, but everyone was stunned, not least of all Cutty.

Next we tackled the beginning songs of a medley, “Christmas on Broadway” and after a short break moved on to Rutter’s “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” less well known and more difficult. It was work but the result was a glorious beginning.

“You read so well!” praised Cutty. “That was amazing — to get through the whole piece. It was like pieces of a puzzle coming together!”

“Are we going to stop singing?” a plaintive voice from the soprano section asked.

Cutty, a bit surprised, noted that the hour was late. He also noted that Johnson played at The Gardens Hotel every Sunday, 5:30 to 8, and thanked FKCC for the assistance he’s had. “The college has bent over backwards to help me,” he said. A religion class has been relocated so “we can now have the room at 6 p.m. for (voluntary) sectionals, male voices next Tuesday (Sept. 2), then alternating women and men through the semester.”I’ll be here,” he promised.

He also praised administrators Michael (McPherson) for assistance and Frank (Wood), who conceived of the idea of an outdoor Holiday Concert, which, all hope, will become an annual tradition, and invited students to snack on his home-baked chocolate chip cookies. (After-class snacks are an established Chorale tradition.)

“This group is truly amazing,” Cutty said afterwards. “There’s instant camaraderie, so many new people and people returning . . .” He stopped, almost at a loss for words, but recovered quickly. “But there’s always room for more voices!”

To register, phone FKCC at (305) 809-3185.

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