Singers eye a Big Apple trip; a host of holiday concerts are on tap this week, next

By AVERY HOWE

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls High School Sonifers set out caroling on Wednesday, Dec. 6 in a longstanding choir tradition. However, the choir program is also seeking new adventures in the coming year -— namely, a trip to New York City this March.

“We received an invitation from [University of Montana] Choral Director, Dr. Coreen Duffy and Dr. Jace Saplan to sing with them in Carnegie Hall in a concert on March 12,” choir director Emily Hackethorn said in an email. “We have never been to New York or traveled very far as a choir, but this opportunity seemed really unique. Several of our students got to work with Dr. Duffy and Dr. Saplan at UM All-Star Choir last year and the repertoire chosen for this event includes a wide array of music from around the world, plus a piece composed by each of the composers as well.”

Each student will need $2,600 to attend through National Concerts, a performance collaboration service. Hackethorn said her students have been working on their own — babysitting and other odd jobs — to raise the funds.     Amanda and Isabella Fitch smile to the audience at Glacier Gateway Elementary while caroling with the Sonifers on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Avery Howe photo)
  

At 7 p.m. Jan. 20, Hackethorn will perform alongside pianist Jordan Neiman with a ticket fee of $5 to benefit the NYC trip at the high school. 

“We have some really cool music programmed —  Brahms, Chopin, I’m going to play Phillip Aaberg’s music and sing some music theater and art song selections as well… Jordan is an amazing pianist and our valley is so lucky to have him back. I’m looking forward to featuring him and collaborating for this,” Hackethorn said. 

School fundraising will include the choir’s annual “A Night at the Movies” fundraiser concert on Jan. 30, with this year’s donations going towards the trip. A silent auction will also be held that night. 

“The singers love preparing for this concert because they choose music they love and they make a bit of a scene of it, so it’s an experience for the audience,” Hackethorn said. “Of course, we will have popcorn and cotton candy as well!  We are just hoping to raise as much money as we can to help students and hopefully offset the extra costs beyond the National Concerts payments.”

Additionally, the choir website has a donation page set up at https://sites.google.com/cfmtschools.net/cfhschoirs/cfhs-choir-news. 

To fill out the holiday season, the choir will perform classics such as “T’was the Night Before Christmas” and John Rutter’s “Oh Holy Night” alongside new winter and holiday songs Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. at Columbia Falls High School. 

“We hope to see the whole community out for this concert, I am sure it will be very special.  We are so thankful to make music here and have incredible kids in our music program,” Hackethorn said. 

The Columbia Falls High School Band will perform their Winter Concert Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at the High School. Friday night, Columbians, Sonfiers, and Jazz Factory will be performing at the Jazz Cafe, hosted at the Cedar Creek Lodge starting at 6 p.m. “Join us for a casual evening of jazz, cookies, coffee (donated by Montana Coffee Traders) and holiday spirit!” wrote band director Josh Forke. 

Ruder Elementary will have their first holiday concerts Tuesday, Dec. 19, third graders at 1:15 p.m., fourth at 1:55 and fifth at 2:35. On Dec 20, the Kindergarten performance will start at 8:50 a.m. followed by first grade at 9:30 and second at 10:10. 

Glacier Gateway will have their concerts on Thursday, Dec. 14 with first through third grades at 9:30 a.m. and fourth and fifth grade at 11 a.m. The Kindergarten winter performance will be Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. 

Columbia Falls Junior High will have their band concert Tuesday, Dec. 12 starting at 6 p.m. and choir concert Thursday, Dec. 14 starting at 6 p.m. 

    Columbia Falls High School choir director Emily Hackethorn leads Colton Little and Celestine Young in Christmas carols for the students at Glacier Gateway Elementary on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Avery Howe photo)
  

    The Columbia Falls High School sonifers, led by director Emily Hackethorn (front), carol around town, including at the senior center and Glacier Gateway Elementary, on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Avery Howe photo)
 Avery Howe   

    Angela Allen and Erica Burguiere carol at Glacier Gateway Elementary with the Sonifers choir on Wednesday, Dec. 6. (Avery Howe photo)
 Avery Howe   

    Glacier Gateway students Noah Wall, Lincoln Mavis and Jordan Evert applaud after the Sonifers’ caroling performance on Wednesday Dec. 6. (Avery Howe photo)
 Avery Howe