Frost's poetry, Thomson's music

Poetry will literally be music to the ears of listeners at the John S. Duss Memorial Music Conservatory's "Music In May" concert Sunday.

The John Duss Choral Society and the Twin Ports Women's Chorale's concert will feature "Frostiana," Randall Thompson's composition using the text of seven Robert Frost poems.

The singers are excited about presenting Frost's works in song because of the way Thompson interpreted the poems through his music, said Peter Miller, Choral Society member.

"It's really nice, because (of) what singing does to help us learn in a different way," Miller said. "Good poetry with music can blend every side of your brain together."

"Frostiana" includes Frost's "The Road Not Taken," "The Pasture," "Come In," "The Telephone," "A Girl's Garden," "Stopping by Woods" and "Choose Something Like a Star."

In setting each poem, Thompson has carefully illustrated the poems throughout the music, said Sr. Bernardone Rock, director of both choral groups.

The music for some of the poems is light hearted, and some, like "The Road Not Taken" is more pensive, Rock said.

You don't necessarily hear that music in the poetry when you're reading it, she said.

"I find in the group, and it's wonderful ... the poetry makes us think 'Why did (Randall Thompson) place this in this way?'"

Rock is interested in what the audience will pick up from the poetry based on the way Thompson interpreted it and the way the choir interprets his composition, she said.

Pat Michals, a Women's Chorale member, said she is interested in what the audience will think, too, because singing traditionally spoken poetry is a new experience for her.

"A lot of people know Robert Frost and his poetry, but put to music I'm not sure," she said.

Another form of interpretation will be available to the audience for the final number in "Frostiana" as well, said Patti Rysdam, a member of both choral groups: a slide show featuring scenes from the Hubble Space Telescope will accompany "Choose Something Like a Star." {IMG2}

The concert will also be comprised of Thompson's "Noel," "Alleluia" and the final chorus of his "The Peaceable Kingdom."

"I think the selections that we have are going to be a very wonderful concert," said Rock, who chose the music that is bringing both of her choral groups together.

The two amateur choirs have worked together in the past, but mostly the choirs work separately, she said.

The John Duss Choral Society focuses mainly on more classical music, and the Twin Ports Women's Society focuses more on popular music.

The two groups had their first practice together Tuesday night, Rock said, adding that everything is coming together nicely.

And if things are coming along nicely, the group feels it is because of Rock's work with them, said Sharon Salo, John Duss secretary and Women's Chorale member.

"She's our drill sergeant with a heart of gold," she said. "We all are here because we love to sing, and some are professionals and some are absolute amateurs, but we all just love to sing."

The concert will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at First Covenant Church, 2101 W. Second St.