Holiday Pops Reflections from Jeanne

No holiday season is complete without the Columbus Symphony’s Holiday Pops Spectacular! One of the highlights of our season is performing with the Columbus Symphony on this festive program full of holiday favorites.

Our preparation began in late October following our own Fall Concert. New World Singers had just six weeks to learn, polish, and memorize five selections for Pops. This was no small feat for a choir that rehearses only twice a week. Without hesitation, the singers quickly buckled down and got to work. Luckily, our preparation went much faster than expected. Or was it luck? It is times like these when I am reminded our commitment to building musically literate singers is why we can quickly move through learning notes and rhythms. Once the notes and rhythms are learned there is ample time to address the fine details of diction, dynamics, and musicality. And address them we did!

The anticipation quickly built as we prepared to attend our first rehearsal with Maestro Chafetz, the orchestra, and guest artist Tony DeSare. We hoped all our hard work and professionalism would be noticed, and it was! Maestro was encouraging, kind, and complimentary. We could breathe a sigh of relief as our preparation was complete and we had done our job well.

Following two days of rehearsal with the orchestra, we were ready to hit the stage for our first performance. To say we were excited is an understatement. Sharing the stage with a world class orchestra, conductor, and jazz vocalist is an experience most young people never have.

As much as the singers love performing for receptive Columbus audiences, the behind-the-scenes is essential to their Holiday Pops experience. During this time they relax, talk, eat, play cards, and build long-lasting relationships. These relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and unity—all essential to building community within the ensemble. The relationships formed during these down times are the glue that holds the choir together and allow us to step on stage each day and give our best performance.

There is no more extraordinary job than working with talented and caring young musicians. I am truly honored and humbled to be their director and look forward to an amazing season!

Happy Holidays,

Jeanne M. Wohlgamuth
Artistic Director

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