HURRICANE Ƶ When Scott Depot resident Cindy Johnson joined the Hurricane Civic Chorus in the fall of 2023, she immediately encountered a problem.
More of a ƵproblemƵ in quotation marks.
ƵThe only problem I have with HCC is that there are so many amazing voices around me, I just want to be quiet and listen!Ƶ Johnson jokes.
This is said by someone who is not a novice to music, but by an individual to whom music is integral to life.
Over the course of JohnsonƵs life, in which she has been a special education teacher, a mother and grandmother, and a church member, singing has been a constant. She has even directed a childrenƵs choir at St. John UMC, where she is (of course) a member of the church choir.
Even so, joining the Hurricane Civic Chorus was, for Johnson, next level.
ƵI love to sing,Ƶ she says. ƵBut being in a group with so many people who are really incredible singers and whose talents amaze me makes it such a wonderful experience.Ƶ
This spring, Johnson and her fellow singers (all 73 of them) have been preparing for their spring concert titled ƵSing You the Stars.Ƶ
The HCC will present ƵSing You the StarsƵ on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Forrest Burdette Memorial United Methodist Church at 2848 Putnam Ave. in Hurricane.
The hour-long, free concert is open to the public, with the doors opening at 7:05 p.m.
ƵHearing awesome voices on the radio, on television, or over the internet is great,Ƶ Johnson admits, adding: Ƶbut sitting in a beautiful sanctuary listening to folks in your own community share their musical talents is an entirely different experience.Ƶ
The Hurricane Civic Chorus is composed of a variety of singers from Putnam County and beyond. Some of its members drive as far as one hour each way to attend weekly rehearsals.
While some HCCers are professionally trained, many are not. And just as the singers vary in terms of musical experience, so do they in age, ranging from teens to retirees.
Second soprano Johnson enjoys retired life with her husband of over 40 years, and being a member of the Hurricane Civic Chorus contributes greatly to her happiness.
ƵIt just makes me smile,Ƶ Johnson says.
Her smile perhaps has been even wider over the last few weeks, as the HCC has been fine-tuning every piece in anticipation of the upcoming concert.
The concert will feature 11 choral selections, which represent a variety of secular and sacred music. From ƵO Be JoyfulƵ and ƵThe PrayerƵ to ƵChoral Highlights from The Phantom of the OperaƵ to ƵA Tribute to the Armed Forces,Ƶ the concert will include a range of genres as well.
Special elements of the concert will include two soprano solos, recognition of each branch of the armed forces, and instrumental accompaniment on four pieces.
Organist Chris Engel will accompany the chorus during ƵO Be JoyfulƵ and clarinet player, Jim Kahre, during ƵCross the Wide Missouri.Ƶ
An 11-member orchestra of community volunteers will perform with the chorus on two patriotic pieces.
ƵSome songs will just give you goosebumps,Ƶ Johnson says.
The goosebumps keep Johnson and others coming back to the HCC season after season.
Ƶ does the leadership.
Dr. Ilse Long has been the choral director of the Hurricane Civic Chorus since fall 2019, and her expertise with the un-auditioned community chorus has contributed to its unprecedented growth and success.
Today the 37-year-old nonprofit, which was founded in 1988 by Beverly Wilkes and Leona Miller, has far surpassed expectations.
ƵJoining HCC gives you a Ƶbig cityƵ experience right here in Hurricane,Ƶ Johnson says.
Ƶ does coming to its well-attended concerts.
The May 20 concert, which includes a reception in the fellowship hall afterwards, will be followed by a summer break for the organization.
Then, on Aug. 26, the HCC will resume with an open house for the fall season at 7 p.m. at Forrest Burdette Memorial UMC.
Johnson hopes that this fall she will face yet another Ƶproblem,Ƶ like she did two years ago: the addition of more talented singers she wants to sit back and listen to.
ƵYou will meet so many interesting people you would never have the opportunity to get to know otherwise,Ƶ she notes. ƵAnd it becomes part of your life journey that is a unique blessing. IƵm grateful for my experience in the HCC, and I look forward to being in it for a very long time.Ƶ
If you would like more information about the upcoming concert on May 20 or about the Aug. 26 open house, check out Hurricane Civic Chorus on Facebook and Instagram or email hurricanecivicchorus@gmail.com.
