Pianist Dorothy Scheafer rehearses with Vocalise ensemble members recently. (Courtesy of Dave Perry)
By Jean Perry
SIERRA VISTA — Vocalise, according to the dictionary, is a vocal exercise (often one suitable for performance) without words, which is sung on one or more vowel sounds. Certainly the “vocal exercise” part of the definition fits the name of the small ensemble made up of members in the Cochise College High Desert Singers.
This group of 15 is comprised of both veteran and young singers and strikes an excellent balance of vocal sound. At 7 p.m. April 25 in Kino Hall, Vocalise will be singing two songs of a more classical nature, one from the Renaissance and one from the Romantic era, vocal jazz and favorites from the ’60s.
“It’s an interesting mix of music,” said director Dave Perry. The ensemble will be joined by Slim Tighe on bass and both Dorothy Scheafer and Pam Clark on piano. Veteran singers who are a part of Vocalise are Karl Balandovich, Jill Brown, Pam Clark, Jean Perry, Mike Rosen and Dorothy Scheafer. Younger members are Alex Schmitz, Analea Sine, Kristopher Wheeler, Breanna Glaze, Katie Hawks, Andrea Loxley, Josh Phillips, Graham Rocco, Errianne Rouse.
Joining Vocalise and rounding out the program for the evening will be the Sweet Adelines quartet, Bedazzled. These gals have been singing together for about a year and a half and are anxious to entertain those in attendance.
When asked how the group came about, Carolyn Eaton replied,”I met Melanie Godwin at High Desert Singers. At our first rehearsal last year, director Dave Perry allowed the members one minute to talk about their musical background to their neighbor. Melanie shrieked (really) when I told her I had sung bass in a barbershop quartet. She wanted to start a quartet – so we did. Four women sharing their love of music and friendship.”
Lisa Roland, tenor, owns the Timeless Therapeutic Day Spa; Lead Michelle Rocco owns Canyon Meadows Realty; and Godwin, Music Director at Palominas School, is singing baritone. Eaton, bass, is the Executive Assistant to the Dean at UA South and teaching the other three to sing in Barbershop style. Eaton has competed at the international level in quartet singing with Sweet Adelines and has a gold medal singing with the Sweet Adelines Scottsdale Chorus. Scheafer and Paul Godwin play a big role in advising the quartet also.