Like many Wesleyan students with exams and final papers looming, Selina Tirtajana ’08 must balance her academic work with singing.
“[I sing] to wind down and relish things I truly enjoy,” Tirtajana said.
Unlike other Wesleyan students, Tirtajana sings downtown with the Greater Middletown Chorale. This weekend, her voice will be part of the Chorale’s two performances of “Mystery and Joy,” a program of Christmas selections spanning nine centuries.
In September, when Tirtajana arrived from Indonesia, she wanted to continue the choral singing that she had been doing all her life. Since the Wesleyan Singers did not have a slot for her soprano voice at that point, she turned to the Greater Middletown Chorale. The Chorale regularly enrolls singers from the University’s faculty and staff, and often performs at Crowell Concert Hall when working with orchestras. Recently, the Chorale and the Wesleyan Singers have collaborated on performances, so Tirtajana’s move down the hill came naturally.
“Having a student join us really completes the University’s presence amongst us,” said Chorale Director Joseph D’Eugenio.
The Chorale, in which many of the singers are twice Tirtajana’s age, has welcomed her gladly.
“It’s so lovely to have a young voice with us,” said Chorale President Stephanie Brandon. “I imagine she is also learning something about American culture as well. We middle-aged choristers are another social environment for her to experience in our country.”
“I was pretty daunted initially when I found out that I was the only student in the Chorale and most of the members have been in the group for years. But the people have been really nice,” Tirtajana said.
Far from home on Thanksgiving, she had dinner with a Chorale family.
Working with the Chorale has benefited Tirtajana musically.
“I find that I learn a lot about voice techniques and conducting from the Chorale,” she said.
From the other end of the baton, D’Eugenio sees the gain for the whole group.
“Selina is a wonderful and vibrant young singer and person. It has been a pleasure to have her sing with the Chorale,” he said.
Other Wesleyan singers are encouraged to follow Tirtajana’s lead and join the Chorale as it prepares for a May 8 presentation of works by Cherubini and Verdi. Rehearsals are from 7:15 to 10:00 on Tuesday evenings at South Congregational Church on the Middletown green across from the YMCA. As Tirtajana has found, there are always Chorale members ready to offer a ride back up the hill when the singing stops. Vocal placement auditions are held at the first two rehearsals on Feb. 8 and 15. For more information about joining the Chorale, call 633-6198.
Meanwhile, this weekend’s performances are open to Wesleyan students at a special price of $10 plus a clipping of this article. The program, “Mystery and Joy,” offers Christmas music from Gregorian chant through contemporary works by Morten Lauridsen and Arnold Freed. The 7:30 p.m. Saturday performance is at First Congregational Church in Cheshire (111 Church Dr.). On Sunday, the concert will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Middletown at South Congregational Church (9 Pleasant St.). Tickets are available at the door. For additional concert information call 633-6198.
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