Mission Valley Choral Society, String Quartet sing in holiday season
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ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Valley Choral Society and String Quartet filled the St. Ignatius Mission with holiday music on Saturday, Dec. 16 during their annual “Winter Holiday Spectacular” performance.
Cathy Gillhouse, event director, said: “I started preparing a month in advance to choose the music and get all the materials ordered so we could practice. We have been preparing for this event for 12 weeks.”
The hours of practice, she added, paid off. “It’s great to see a group peak right at the perfect time,” she said.
Susan Raub-Fortner, president of the Mission Valley Choral Society, said the biggest challenge was having enough basses. “We are always looking for more male singers who want to participate.”
Frank Sucha, who listened to the performance from the back row, said his location didn’t affect his ability to hear due to the church’s great acoustics. “I think the choraleers did a great job and they sounded great,” he said.
He added that his wife, Janet Sucha, was one of the choir singers. “It’s always a joy to get to support your partner and to see them flourish and engage in the things they want to do that make them happy.”
He has also had a long-time friendship with the director that goes back to a time when the two taught at the same school. “I think Cathy does a great job and brings out the strengths of everyone when doing events like this,” Sucha said.
Gillhouse, who describes music as her passion, said “it’s great to see (choral society members) grow and improve as a team.”
She added that after 12 years she will be coming out of retirement from teaching music at the Ronan School District to assume the role of band director due to the recent passing of the current director.
The Mission Valley Choral Society performed “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” concert again in Polson on Dec. 17 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
