Women’s chorus wins award, seeks new members

Misty River Music Makers, a Fox Valley area women’s chorus, brought home the first-place trophy from its area competition in June.

The a cappella singing group wowed the judges and entertained the audience with two prepared songs.

“The Wonderful Day Medley” was sung with choreography to lyrics that included “Zipadeedoodah, zipadeeaye.” Then the 22 ladies of Misty River produced a rendition of “All the Way,” the familiar standard popularized by Frank Sinatra.

“It gives me goose bumps when these ladies can harmonize so beautifully,” said director Ruth Maple. “I have never been so proud. It was a real team effort.”

The competition is part of the annual Area 4 Convention and Contests event of Harmony Inc., an international women’s four-part harmony singing organization. This event attracts other Harmony, Inc. choruses from all around the Midwest.

With this first-place win, the group has qualified for a spot to compete with other choruses at the Harmony Inc. International Convention and Contests in Orlando, Fla., in November.

“What are we going to do next? We’re going to Disney World,” said chorus President Cynthia Kieckhefer.

She said she hopes Misty River’s success helps build interest and entices other Fox Valley would-be singers to join in the fun.

“I hadn’t sung since high school,” Kieckhefer said. “So it took a while to get up the nerve to attend a practice. But it was like riding a bicycle with 20 other people happy to spot you. The training wheels came off after only a couple practices.

“Four-part harmony creates such sweet music. We hope this year brings us many more women who want to revive their high school and college experiences of singing in a chorus,” she added.

Misty River has been entertaining residents of the Fox Valley for more than 25 years, singing the national anthem at the Kane County Cougars games and appearing around town at festivals and fundraisers. They sing at private functions, too.

The group welcomes potential new members and always likes an audience. Join them for any rehearsal and choose to simply listen or jump right in and sing along.

Rehearsals are from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays at Montessori Academy of Batavia. 595 South River St., Batavia.

Drop in or call Claire for more information, (630) 569-1228, or visit mistyrivermusicmakers.org.