West Branch ladies lend their voices to ‘Sound of Music’

Staff report

BELOIT

West Branch High School’s production of “The Sound of Music” will be enhanced by the voices of dozens of women from the community who comprise the Nuns Chorus.

Choral director John Zamarelli invited area churches and organizations to become part of the production and got an enthusiastic response.

“We were delighted and a little overwhelmed by the response,” said Zamarelli. “‘The Sound of Music’ has several scenes that take place in an abbey, and we wanted to create the atmosphere of the large, European cathedral. When the audience hears the community female voices blending with our student chorus of nuns, I think that they will be amazed and moved.”

“The Sound of Music” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11, and 3 p.m. Feb. 12 in the West Branch High auditorium. To reserve tickets, call 330-938-4442.

The community chorus will have logged about 18 hours of rehearsal time when the show opens.

“The dedication and talent of these ladies is truly inspiring,” said Zamarelli. “The music is a challenge since some of it is in Latin. But, the group is up to the challenge.”

The chorus is giving community members a chance to interact with students in bringing the classic musical to the stage.

“We have some moms and grandmothers in the group,” said Zamarelli. “What is really special is the number of graduates who live in the area who have returned and the number of ladies who don’t have any particular tie to the school right now. They just like to sing and want to be a part of a community effort.”

Karen Rice, West Branch class of 1975 and an employee in the treasurer’s office at West Branch, is excited to be a part of the production.

“Our office is right down the hall from the choral room,” she said. “We hear the kids all year long either getting ready for holiday music or getting ready for a musical production. They always seem to be having such a good time that I think a lot of us thought that it would be fun to be part of a production.”

“The Sound of Music” will also feature more than 50 students, along with the 50-member Nuns Chorus.

The West Branch Community Auditorium, which opened in 2000, seats 1,000 people and has a 60 foot-long stage.

“I am not sure we could have supported this cast beore,” said Zamarelli.