Natalia Vargas
On March 29 and 30, Bella Voce performed gospel songs to a packed audience.
Following their annual tradition of putting up spring concerts, the choir presented The Sound of Spring, with amazing renditions of spirit-filling songs like “The Final Week” and “Surely, He Hath Borne our Griefs,” from Handel’s Messiah.
Directed by Klark Black, the evening featured the narration of a scripture Easter story, executed by Andy Robinson. It was a deeply moving performance, since the full power of the choir was not interrupted by applause but was admired by a touched audience.
The choir was composed of six-year returning veteran singers and a few new voices.
This year’s Bella Voce was accompanied by ShaRee Mathews and CaraLee Frehner at the piano, with the help of Jacob Lester at percussion.
During the concert, Black remarked on the incredible help that Mathews, Frehner and Lester provided, saying that without them “the program would not be possible.” The evening also featured the help of Kathy Cook and Michele Mathews as choir managers, Andy Robinson with the lights and sound and Pete Peterson and the Lincoln County School District.
Surprisingly, towards the end of the evening, Black also commented that when he first introduced the Beatles medley he said, “This song is a Beatles medley” and asked the choir “who doesn’t love the Beatles?” Black said that, astonishingly, there were actually some people that said they didn’t. Regardless, the medley was a perfect end for the night, with the whole crowd singing along to the classic tunes.
Bella Voce returns for this year’s traditional Christmas Concert in December.
