On Monday evening, community music groups Civic Choir and Community Band showcased pieces at the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. Both performances were the final UW performances for directors Dr. Susan Vollbrecht and Dr. Robert Besler, respectively.
The choir and band are opportunities for university students to work alongside community members to practice and perform a wide variety of music.
“The Civic Choir is a really unique choir because you have community members as well as university students. I love when people come together and they’re strangers and they leave as friends,” said Vollbrecht.
Vollbrecht has conducted the choir for three years, and will leave UW to continue teaching as a music educator in Lander next school year.
“I love seeing the music come to life and being able to see the emotions on the singers faces. For me, that means everything.”
Larry McCracken is a bass in the choir and a lifelong chorale member. This was McCracken’s first season with the Civic Choir.
“The choir is one of the things I absolutely love to do. I have spent more than 40 years in choirs going to different places and there just isn’t anything quite like it when it comes to results.You work hard and you do it right and then it makes you feel wonderful,” McCracken said.
“God gives you a gift so you better use it so that is what I do. It makes me feel very wonderful to be able to participate in the Civic Choir.”
The evening was extra special to Community Band members who performed their final concert with Dr. Besler. Besler joined the university in 1995, growing the musical area from a small marching band and concert band to three new groups, including the Community Band.
“He is a fantastic human,” Vollbrecht said of her colleague.
Bessler expressed pride for his performers and their dedication throughout the year. He said they enjoyed their time together, and that he cherishes watching his students grow.
“We are really proud of the growth with all the wonderful people we’ve had here. It’s a great social experience, we have such a mix of people and we get together and we’re there just to enjoy each other and have fun.”
“Tonight it was like every performer did their absolute best and worked together. It’s a great feeling as a teacher to know that if you can try to make a difference and succeed in doing so, that the musicians can be better at something than they were previously.”
