As the principal accompanist for Da Capo, I have a unique perspective. I have watched both operating ensembles, Animato and Bel Canto, grow in myriad ways since their inception last fall.

To cite a couple of examples as regards the children’s group, Animato, I was struck recently by a trend: the children would begin rehearsing before they were supposed to begin rehearsing. They were singing their hearts out on a song they were currently preparing and/or doing one of the games/activities that Tracee uses. I recall it happening one week recently and continuing to some degree or another. Also, I found it greatly rewarding when some of them would recognize the finer musical points and, e.g., the breaking of a phrase to breathe on a half-note or a final consonant was not sounding. Tracee would prompt the question but someone would supply the answer. “We breathed and broke the phrase” or “there was no ‘nd’ in ‘bound.’”

As for the adults, I am taken by the response of the more novice singers to Jeff’s instruction, particularly in the last few weeks before the Bel Canto concert in May. The overall ensemble seemed to take more individual ownership of each person’s role. Indeed, much of the growth in solidity of the ensemble can attributed to the spirit of the group. The fellowship quality is high. Jeff has the wisdom to foster a balanced rehearsal: hard-core instruction with get-to-know-each-other time. We are humans with personalities and not just sound machines.

Happily, and much to its benefit, Bel Canto has a director who recognizes that, and its members build upon that and have just a wonderful rapport with each other.
One other outstanding thought: I particularly enjoyed the opening fall concert of Da Capo during which the children of the audience stood around the organ to watch the pedal solo. Their curiosity and wonder at the instrument and my ability to demonstrate it yielded one of the more fulfilling performance experiences of my life. Even if none of those children take organ or become interests, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share my gift and skill in that particular manner.