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Barrington HS choral director closing in on final act
Updated: February 25, 2013 6:10AM
BARRINGTON EAST — Attention all BHS choir and Barrington Village Singer alums: Nancie Tobison will be retiring after next school year.
But before the end of her outstanding teaching career, she is organizing one last concert during next Thanksgiving weekend.
The Saturday night after Thanksgiving 2013, she will direct singers in a number of pieces, including: “O Shenandoah,” “Ride the Chariot,” “Witness,” “Tango to Evora,” “O Fortuna (Carmina Burana),” “Omnia Sal,” “Alleluia” by Ralph Manuel, “Daemon Imepit Callidus,” “Winter’s Night,” and “Fa La La La La.”
Singers are invited to join her for the above pieces that they are familiar with!
Tobison’s most recent big show was the annual holiday concerts at Barrington High School, which have always attracted many an alum, and music lover alike.
On back-to-back nights in December, the annual festivites began with an impassioned “Star Spangled Banner” by the IMEA District Choir singers.
The concert choir then sang an adorable and spunky “We Need a Little Christmas,” followed by a bright “Carol of the Bells,” a sweet “To Bethlehem,” and a stately “Pavanne for a Silent Night,” with a gorgeous solo by professional flautist Kathleen Wilson.
Premium Blend then sang a scintillating “Rock Around the Christmas Tree,” followed by an ethereal “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Ladies Only. Danny and and the Dingalings, inspired by Bonnie Spurling, presented a fun “Jingle Bells.” Then the New York City Choir, which will perform at Carnegie Hall this spring, sang an enthralling “Heiling, Heiling” by Mendelssohn.
Chamber Choir took the stage with a lovely “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella,” an inspiring “Lux autanumque,” an exemplary “Dance of the Sugar Plum” by Tchaikovsky, with a beautiful ballerina solo by Ali Lidbury. Upon announcing that the “Halleluiah Chorus” presentation was open to all alums and professional singers, Nancie Tobison was surprised and delighted to see locally based baritone William Powers, of Metropolitan Opera fame, join the singers on stage!
After an exuberant intermission, the majestic Madrigals entertained with traditional Festive Processional and many Christmas favorites, including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Here We Come a Caroling,” “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “The 12 Days of Christmas,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Then Change-up took the stage with a fun “Happy Holiday Medley,” with heartfelt solos by Nick Witek and Cassidy Ebert. Popsation sang a delightful “Santa Baby” with super solos by Jordan Ginsburg, Kylie Mena and Shannon Corey. B Naturals performed a moving “When Christmas Comes to Town” with solid solos by Alex Guhde and Andrea Schumann, followed by “The Little Drummer Boy” by Gentleman Only, accompanied by drummer Grant Himes.
A Cappella Choir brought the evening to culmination with a driving “Star in the East,” a bouncy “Jazz Gloria,” and a spellbinding “Shalom Havarim.”
True to “Tobison Signature Closing,” the choirs performed a hilarious “Fa La La, La La,” and ended with the Phil Mark Signature Closing “Still, Still, Still.”
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