The Carthage Choir has a new director,  and judging from what he accomplished in last night’s rehearsal and today’s performance,  there are some exciting things ahead.   His name is Eduardo Garcia-Novelli,  and he was far and away my top choice of the five finalists from last year’s search.  ( I was not an official part of the search committee,  but they were nice enough to ask me for my opinion, since I saw all of them in action-  and their verdict jived with mine.  This guy knocked our socks off – and the choir members also liked him very much. )   The other finalists were a little too grim and never seemed to be all that pleased with what they were hearing – and also a little too anxious to impress us with their fancy-pants five-syllable choral terms.  Professor Garcia- Novelli walked through the door with an entirely different attitude. . . so much more relaxed, ready to have fun,  and so much more demonstrably appreciative of the Carthage Choir itself and their talents.  He just seemed to delight in the experience of working with them, which made all the difference in the world.  And while the others gave off the distinct impression that they were doing us an immense favor by gracing us with their presence,  Maestro Garcia- Novelli seemed to be just the opposite –  incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to be there.

And that was very much the same dynamic last night. This very first get together of the year involved about 24 returning members of the choir rehearsing last night for about 90 minutes in order to polish and perfect a piece to sing for today’s New Student Convocation.  It’s an event in which Siebert Chapel is packed to the gills with nearly every new Carthage student – 810 this year between freshmen and transfers – plus all of their parents/grandparents/siblings – plus nearly all of the faculty and many staff members. . . for an audience approaching 2000.  (There were probably a couple hundred people standing in the lobby and stairwells.)  And when that audience includes President Campbell himself,  it’s obviously important that this performance not be slopped together.

And it wasn’t.  The students did a really fine job with an Aaron Copland piece called “Zion’s Walls” and I have to commend Professor Garcia-Novelli on choosing the piece- it was a perfect choice because it posed just the right amount of challenge.  They had to work to get the thing learned but could have fun doing it, and last night’s rehearsal was both incredibly efficient and also fun.   (Professor Garcia-Novelli was born and raised in Argentina, and one in awhile struggles to find the right word.  At one point, he asked the singers to use a bit more “aggressivity” – and then turned to me to ask if he had just made up a word.  He had, of course, but who cares, just so long as they understand what he’s going for.  I actually think that this modest, subtle language barrier compels the students to pay a little more attention.) They ended up singing the piece with great confidence and skill today, attentive to the details and yet singing out with freedom and joy, with yours truly at the piano. . .  glad to be part of the start of what I trust will be a long and beautiful friendship between Professor Garcia- Novelli and the Carthage Choir.

pictured:   the end of Saturday night’s rehearsal, up in Siebert Chapel.