The Gainesville Civic Chorus
Music to the ears
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Maestro Will Kesling stood on stage in the University Auditorium, ready to conduct the Gainesville Civic Chorus and Philharmonic Orchestra. The audience was silent, the recorder running, the orchestra poised.
A baby began to cry. Without a word, Kesling turned to face the crowded auditorium. He stood motionless for what seemed like several minutes, until the fussing stopped.
"I was enforcing hall rule," Kesling later said in a telephone interview, referring to the 'No children under 8 rule.' People had paid to see a class act, and that is what Kesling and his musicians delivered.Kesling was conducting the "Bach Family Sampler," a celebration of Bach that includes compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Nikolaus (the second cousin of J. S. Bach), Emanuel (J.S. Bach's third son) and P.D.Q. Bach (no relation).
The 60-plus members perform three or more major concerts each year -- sometimes with an orchestra, other times with a piano accompanist -- and have been wowing audiences for 33 years.
Chorus member Gene Dunnam has been there since the beginning.
"The Gainesville Civic Chorus grew out of a chorus that was put together in 1976 -- the Bicentennial Chorus," Dunnam said in a telephone interview. "Dr. Elwood Keister decided to start a civic chorus after seeing the caliber of talent."
The first GCC gathering was in the fall of 1977, under the direction of Keister, Dunnam said. With the very first note, people sat up and took notice.
"It was the best choral sound I had heard for many years, since leaving college," Dunnam said.
Save for a few absences, Dunnam has been involved ever since.
"I think the main thing we've contributed to the community is high quality choral music, fairly continuously," Dunnam said.
Over the years, he has seen personnel changes and directors come and go, but the music remains.
"I would say we have been blessed with a number of very fine directors," Dunnam said, "of which Dr. Kesling is a highly worthy member."
Kati Grote has performed with the chorus for seven years and has been on the board for the last five, including two years as president. She is enthused about their next concert honoring veterans: "Spirit of America."
"A couple of years ago, at one of our board meetings, Will [Kesling] was saying he really likes to do an event for the veterans," Grote said.
For this show, the group will send invitations to veterans throughout the county, Grote said.
"We like to make sure we recognize all the veterans in the audience -- all four branches of the military," she said.
During the performance, veterans are asked to stand to be honored.
"We have started an annual tradition for Memorial Day weekend," Kesling said, who served five years in the Navy.
"I started out flying jets and ended up doing music," Kesling said. "I'm a patriot through-and-through, and we came up with this idea."
Unfortunately, Kesling said, they will not have the orchestra for this performance, but they will have a piano accompanist: Tane´ DeKrey.
"Tane´ is amazing," Kesling said. "She's the best accompanist I have had in 40 years."
The GCC is a community choir open to anyone who loves to sing, but people must be able to read music, be familiar with chorus and be prepared to audition for a spot, Grote said.
"The level of our music has increased exponentially since Will has been the director," Grote said. "He is a world-class conductor. He has conducted orchestras and choirs all over the world. So, he brings all of that expertise with him to the civic chorus."
Kesling's biography includes conducting gigs in Russia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Canada. He was awarded the Congressional Order of Merit by the Congress of the United States in September 2003 and the Ronald Regan Gold Medal in November 2004. In March 2006, Kesling was awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction for his contributions to the cultural life of the citizenry.
Since Kesling began conducting the GCC in 2002, it has been open to the university students for credit, Grote said.
"We do have quite a few students who sing with us, which is lovely," Grote said. "They really bring a beautiful vocal sound to the choir."
The GCC is a non-profit organization and is always in need of donations, which are tax deductible. Members have yearly dues, which go towards paying for venues and the orchestra, but it is not enough.
The singers volunteer 960 to 1,200 rehearsal hours per concert, as well as more than $4,500 per season in dues and music costs, states the GCC Web site. The minimal cost for a ticketed concert is about $8,000; with a large orchestra and soloists, the cost could run to more than $12,000.
"Singers do it for the love of it," Kesling said. "But we really need help. I'm looking for an angel. Someone who would help."
Kesling has plans to "do all kinds of wonderful things," if only he had the money. He envisions a PBS television special with his chorus performing "Prelude to Glory."
"This is a community organization with some history," he said. "We'd like to continue that legacy."
To make a donation, call Janet Cornelius: 352-372-2691; Andy Olivenbaum: 352-332-0975; or visit www.gcchorus.org. §
Albert Isaac is Editor-in-Chief at Tower Publications. He has lived in High Springs with his family since 1987. editor@towerpublications.com.
Spirit of America
Saturday, May 23, 7:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
300 SW 2 Ave., Gainesville
$10 donation requested
