Noel's Concert

I drove out to Palmer Saturday night for a concert at the Lutheran Church, put on by Cantora Arctica.

Cantora Arctica is a group of women from the Mat-Su valley, ranging in age from 19 to 65. They are educators, mothers, psychologists, scientists, sisters, engineers, nurses, artists, physical therapists, wives, attorneys, activists and grandmothers – all of whom join together once a week to sing. They are conducted by Janet Stotts, a woman well known in the music world out in the valley: she teaches piano & voice to all ages, and also conducts the Alaska Children’s Choir.

My sister Noel is one of them!

The concert was just wonderful. They have about 27 voices, and were accompanied by a grand piano & 5 strings (2 violins, 2 violas, and 1 cello). Their “uniform” consisted of a long black skirt with a black velvet bodice and a sparkling necklace. They even coordinate their hair & make-up! The over-all effect is quite elegant, which only adds to the music.

The first half of the concert was a piece by Gabriel Faure, called Requiem. I’m told that people who are really in to choral music will readily recognize this piece as being very prestigious. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. But I did really enjoy it, and was impressed with the Latin words – mostly by the fact that my sister could remember them all!

The second half of the concert was filled with various other pieces, ranging from African-American Spiritual Rousers to Italian Opera. It was quite something.

For the very last piece, they were joined by members of the children’s choir who happened to be in the audience that night. They were so cute! In particular was one little girl – perhaps 6 years old – who was just smiling away as she sang. She was obviously thrilled to be performing, and was a joy to watch.