PHOTO COURTESY OF SOUTH SOUND CLASSICAL CHOIR

The South Sound Classical Choir performs classical choral music from the Renaissance through the 21st century. They will hold May performances in Tacoma, Milton and Puyallup.

South Sound Choir takes on classics

By Meghan Erkkinen

The South Sound Classical Choir is truly old school. This group of about 50 performers is diverse in both the level of their skill and in their backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: a love for classical music.

The choir was founded in 2003 under the umbrella of the Valley Arts Society, founded in 1994 to educate and increase the interest of the general public in various types of music and drama.

The society’s first musical group was the Valley Chorale, which performs everything from Broadway to ballads and jazz. After almost a decade of performing, the South Sound Classical Choir was founded by Ellen Malesis and Director Doug Skelly, who retired at the end of December.

The purpose of the choir and the society in general was “so people could maintain their jobs and still be on stage,” according to George Malesis, who with his wife Ellen founded the society. Many of the choir’s members have jobs and children, and don’t have time to dedicate their entire days to performing professionally.

“It’s kind of a cool community group in that auditions are not required,” said Director Peter Herpst, who took over for Skelly at the beginning of this year. “There are all levels of musicianship…It’s a true community group in that it’s for anyone.”

The group performs music spanning from the Renaissance through the 21st century, both accompanied and a capella.

When the group began, there were fewer than a dozen performers.

“It began so small,” recalled Dottie Shelby, an Edgewood resident who has been with the choir since it originated. But, she said, the choir grew quickly.

“I think classical choral music attracts good people,” she said.

The choir has grown much with the help of word of mouth. Shelby got her husband, John, involved, and several members heard about it through friends.

Pat Kerns, a Tacoma resident, heard about the chorus and came to a performance.

“I heard them sing their first note and I just about fell off my pew, it was so beautiful,” she said. Kerns has been a member since last fall.

Jane Kenyon, a resident of Tacoma, has been a member of the choir for four years. She heard about the group through a friend who had heard the choir perform. She joined, and very much enjoys performing in the group.

“I love the music, the four-part harmony, the a capella, the director, the people and just the opportunity to sing,” she said. “It is a wonderful way to top off a strenuous work day,” she added.

Most of Kenyon’s fellow chorus members are also there for the love of the music.

“Basically we’re here because we love to sing and we love to sing this music,” said Marilyn Strand of Tacoma.

Jerry Whittig, an Edgewood resident, feels similarly.

“I’ve had a natural love for music – I’ve participated in choir since junior high,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed the harmony.”

The group does quarterly performances around the Tacoma area. Three area performances are coming up in May.

The choir will perform about 10 pieces, ranging from Elgar to Beethoven to Vaughan Williams.

“They really chose some high points in choral literature,” Herpst said. “It’s a really meaty program.”

The group will perform May 3 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton at 7 p.m.; May 4 at Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma at 3 p.m.; and May 10 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Puyallup at 7 p.m.

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