August 11 at the Mint Festival
With a little over five weeks remaining before its second appearance this year, the Mint City Singers are rehearsing each week with eyes to Aug. 11, the middle of the three day Mint Festival in St. Johns. Songs such as pops “Georgia on My Mind” and “Catch a Falling Star” will lead the list, followed by folk pieces from other lands including a Korean folk song, “Ahrirang.” Director Elizabeth Hoard is convinced that all songs – foreign and domestic – will be in tune on time.
“The group is looking forward to the date and has been rehearsing with enthusiasm,” she explained. “We hope the exposure during the Mint Festival leads to other invitations.”
The mid-Fest appearance follows an earlier program this spring. In April the singers presented a program during the intermission of “Ireland in Stories and Song” featuring Fr. Eoin Murphy on behalf of Clinton County Arts Council. Previously, the Mint City Singers, under leadership of founding director Marcus Roll, were featured during the 2011 National Night Out. Roll was a former St. Johns Lutheran Church choir director whose idea for a community singing group gave birth to the Mint City Singers. Carol Malewska, the group’s president, is one of the original members and concurred with the hope that the Mint Fest date will encourage additional commitments.
While Marcus Roll provided a course of direction, his departure left leadership to a brief succession of college music majors who filled in. That role will now be held by Michigan State University music major, Elizabeth Hoard.
Ms. Hoard is entering her fourth year at MSU, double majoring in music education and vocal performance. She has performed with the State singers and is a member of the University Choral, Women’s Chamber Ensemble and sings with the St. John Church and Student Center in East Lansing. She has performed in five collegiate operatic presentations as well as studying opera in Todi, Italy (2009) and Tianjin, China (2011). In addition to her vocal background, Ms. Hoard has taken private lessons on the flute and piano.
Ms. Hoard went on to point out that the Mint City Singers currently rehearse each Monday evening from 7:30p to 8:30p at the St. Johns Lutheran Church and she encouraged all who might have an interest in learning more about the group to simply appear at a session or contact Carol Malewska, 989 834-2281 (cdmalewska@yahoo.com), Susan Mahoney, 989 224-4361 (sm2nkids@voyager.net) or Elizabeth Hoard, 517 712-0462 (elizabethmariephotos@gmail.com.)
“Right now,” commented Ms. Malewska, “our group numbers about 15 singers and accompanist Karen Hoffman, but we’re looking for additional members as we line up appearances. There’s still time for new members to join us and be prepared for our Mint Festival appearance. We’ll be singing Saturday afternoon Aug. 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 at the band shell. Our rehearsals are open and encourage anyone who enjoys singing to consider joining us.”
She went on to express appreciation to Elizabeth Hoard for assuming the role of summer director and a special note of thanks to the board of directors of St. Johns Community Foundation for the $700.00 grant which was announced earlier this spring. “That gift is certainly a shot in the arm that will invigorate our agenda,” she said, “and we are deeply appreciative of their thoughtfulness.” As a closing thought, Ms. Malewka referenced the association with Clinton County Arts Council and reminded that tax free donations may now be made through that organization toward the benefit of Mint City Singers.
Elizabeth Hoard, right, directs a rehearsal of the Mint City Singers in preparation for the group’s appearance during the St. Johns Mint Festival. From left: Director Elizabeth Hoard, toni Zimmerman, Josh Spicer, Cindy Latch, Susan Mahoney, Kevin Hoard, Don Gregg, Carol Malewska, Mark Grueneberg, Edith Reed, Jeanette Huard and Geri Ossam.