Missoula Chorale Has Local Talent

SEELEY LAKE - Since his retirement from teaching five years ago, Seeley Lake resident Steve Thompson travels to Missoula every week to sing bass in the Missoula Symphony Chorale. His love of singing and encouragement from Swan Valley resident Sharon MacQuarrie first got him started with the group. Now he returns every year because he loves the challenge of being pushed musically.

Thompson grew up in Missoula, singing in choirs since junior high. He sang with the Elks Boys Choir and in the Children's Chorus as a part of the Opera Carmen.

After moving to Seeley Lake, Thompson was always looking for a singing outlet. He shared the story of how the community choir Swan Valley Christian Singers started in his living room. Birthed from conversations with Reverend Jean Johnson with the Blackfoot Presbyterian Church in Seeley Lake, Thompson's wife Cheri thought the group would be a great way to engage adults with various music talents. They officially held their first concert in 1985.

"It was an ecumenical thing," said Thompson. "There were two rules. You couldn't discuss religion or politics during rehearsals."

Marge Smith, director of the Mission Mountain Messengers, directed the group even though she could not "read a lick of music," said Thompson. The group started off with 30 participants from Ovando to Swan Lake and averaged 50 singers during its more than 10 years in existence. Smith retired as the director in 1994.

"Once Marge passed away, we could never get a director," said Thompson. "Tom Larson tried but it was never quite the same. Missoula was my only option."

Prior to retiring from speech pathology in the local school system, another trip to Missoula did not appeal to Thompson.

"When Sharon MacQuarrie invited me to join [the Missoula Symphony Chorale], I said when I retire I will join," said Thompson.

Following his retirement, Thompson called up the Chorale Director Dean Peterson who was, at the time, working as the Director of Choirs at Hellgate High School. Thompson recalled walking up to the third floor and meeting Peterson in the music room for his audition. They sang a couple of songs and he looked at Thompson and said, "You're in."

Thompson now sings with nearly 90 others in the choir and 10 in the bass section. The audition process has become much more formal, with auditions held yearly rotating through the various sections. Thompson thinks the formal auditions are a good addition allowing for new folks to get into the Chorale and keeps the group from getting stale. Local residents Sharon MacQuarrie and Cheryl Lewis have also sung with the Chorale in the past.

The Missoula Symphony Chorale performed its stand-alone concert Sunday, Oct. 25 at St. Anthony Parish in Missoula. The program included 13 different arrangements both sacred and nature-based.

"Not all the pieces are in English. There is one in Latin and an Estonian Folk Song," said Thompson. "Dean pushes the group musically way beyond the comfort level of the members."

The group has two more concerts, the Holiday Pops Concert Dec. 5 and 6 and their spring concert in April. In both concerts the Chorale combines with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and will be directed by Music Director Darko Butorac.

"It's a great group of people to interact with and Dean is awesome," said Thompson. But the number one reason Thompson returns year after year is, "It's just fun."

For more information about the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale visit http://www.missoulasymphony.org