Chit-Chat with Kelly Schultz: New choir member hits right note with choir

It’s usually frowned upon to sing aloud during a concert, but the Elgin Choral Union will encourage it. The more than 100-voice choir will entertain with a variety of well-known Christmas songs arranged by English composers at its holiday concert, “A Proper English Christmas.” The number of voices will only increase when the audience will be asked to join in on the popular carols, “Joy To The World” and “The First Nowell.” The choir will also collaborate with the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra for its performance. Kelly Schultz of Elgin is in her second season with the choir, and she already feels right at home and has even discovered ways of learning the music on her own.

Elgin Choral Union. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Much of the program is of familiar Christmas carols, but were there any that were difficult to learn and/or new to you?
Some of the music was more complex in toning and rhythm... The song “Donkey Carol” is written in a 5/8 time signature, which is kind of awkward (to sing) but also interesting.

Even though “Donkey Carol” has an awkward time signature, how did you come to learn it?
One of the tricks I used is that I would ignore the words and would sing 1-2-3-4-5 in the 5/8 time signature until I felt comfortable with singing that. And then I would add the words. It took a lot of practice at home, and luckily, I have a piano to practice on.

What encouraged you to become part of this choir?
I wanted to get back into music, and I knew I wanted something with that collegiate feel... What sold it for me was going to see the choir during a rehearsal, and they invited me to sing with them, while I was just there visiting. It was wonderful to experience the friendliness and see the talent in this group.

How does this holiday concert contrast to past concerts with the choir?
With this concert, you get those traditional carols that everyone loves and mostly knows. Our other concerts, we sing songs that the audience may not know too well. And with this particular concert, people can join in a sing-along with the choir on a couple of the songs... It really brings home the spirit of the holidays to the community. I think the sing-along lets us connect more with the audience.

What Christmas carol do you think best describes the Elgin Choral Union, and why?
I think the Christmas carol that best describes the choir is “Here We Come A-Wassailing” because it’s a song about a festive group of people who goes out and shares the joy. I think that describes what the choir is all about.
 

HEAR THE PERFORMANCE
WHAT “A Proper English Christmas”
WHERE Blizzard Theater, Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin; (847) 622-0300, tickets.elgin.edu
WHEN 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20
HOW MUCH $22 for adults, $17 for seniors and $14 for students; Concertgoers are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the All People’s Interfaith Food Pantry in Elgin.