ELKO — The Ruby Mountain Voices held their first-ever rehearsal on Wednesday in the studio at Elko High School that also is used by the school’s Choraliers.
After vocal warm-ups with Connie Muir on piano, the singers launched into a choral rendition of “What Child Is This?”
With so many of the members having years of musical experience, they picked up on the vocals almost immediately.
“In the last 10 days, we put a mountain of stuff together. Everything has fallen through and it’s all round pegs in round holes,” Ruby Mountain Voices Vice President Rick Whittington said.
However, “I don’t think we’re done as far as the size of the choir yet. We want to have a balanced, four-section choir,” he said.
The lineup is still in need of more soprano voices.
“We’re going to be singing at the Festival of Trees on Dec. 6, Friday, at 6 to 6:30 p.m. and then also up at Elko Junction, date to be determined,” Ruby Mountain Voices President Valerie Sargeant said. “And then we’re planning on having a Christmas concert around Dec. 15.”
She said goals for the night’s rehearsal were “getting out our folders, collecting dues and starting to practice our music.”
Along with offering musical assistance, Sargeant also takes on legal duties, as she has an accounting background.
She explained how the choir came together.
“I tracked down Rick Whittington because I heard that he lives here in town,” she said. “He was part of the Southern Utah Heritage Choir and he wanted to have a community choir. I’ve been thinking about that for years, so we had a meeting and from there, it’s grown.”
Board member Cat Phillips said of Sargeant, “She’s been the one who has initiated the idea and has done some great lengths of work to make this all happen. I will be sharing the music directing responsibilities with her. She can do all the paperwork. I just like to direct music.”
Phillips has taught choirs for 19 years and has served as vocal coach for religious musical “Savior of the World” three times.
“I’m a music chair, I’m an organist, I’m an accompanist. I have a music studio out in Spring Creek where I teach all ages. I teach piano, voice and organ as well,” she said. “I have 25 enrollments. My youngest student is 7 and my oldest is 65, so I cater to all ages and all levels. I am a member of Music Teachers National Association and I promote music education and music therapy and sound healing. Music is such a gift to everybody that can improve their mental health and their physical being as well.”
“We are going to be able to give a great gift to our community through our music,” she said.
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