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05/13/2003 Archived Entry: "EHS Choir"

EHS CHOIR

For anyone who understands the value of the conductor to a piece of music, last night's performance in the PAC by the EHS Choir should be well-noted.

The last two numbers they sang, "Hear my Prayer" and "The Awakening", were as well delivered as anything I've heard by major choirs anywhere. Anyone who was not reduced to tears hearing them sing was not listening. It was perfection.

Most of those students don't have truly outstanding voices, but collectively they have voices good enough to make outstanding music when they follow the directions and understand the feeling coming from their conductor. Ken Hakoda made the difference. Anyone can stand in front of a chorus or band and wave their arms, but not everyone can produce results like he can. Therein lies the difference in the music program. He produces the magic.

As I left the concert, I overheard one grandmother say, "He's a genius". I knew who she meant.

At a very young age, he grasped what it meant to transcend the ordinary to produce exceptional music. Individuals who can do that don't come along very often, and they are truly gifted.

What I would like to see is for him to be contracted to compose a band and chorus musical piece next year especially for Ellsworth. Something incorporating our early history of drovers, cattle and settling the west that would capture our unique identity and could be used for special concerts over and over for years to come. If anyone could do it, I think he could. Does anyone else share that idea?