It never gets old; not for me. Fifteen seasons, fifteen Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Concerts with the Spokane Symphony. It is on the short list of annual concerts in Spokane that are guaranteed to sell out. People, not only in Spokane, but in cities all over the world, come out on New Year’s Eve to hear Beethoven 9.
The interesting part is, the 4th movement, which is the earworm that brings everyone out in droves is sung entirely in German, and usually, the only German speaker in the room is the illustrious Ekhart Preu, immediate past conductor of the Spokane Symphony.
So, why do we, my fellow choristers, Symphony members, and concert goers alike keep coming back year after year to play, sing and enjoy concerts where the language is not English? What common bond brings us back together, concert after concert?
We, as symphony and opera performers are all fluent readers and interpreters of the language of music. Our conductors are there to facilitate and clear up any discrepancies in our comprehension so that we interpret as a united ensemble. As such, we have the common mission and vision of bringing the stories found in the music we present to life before our audience, uplifting and educating them in the process.
How did I come to be a part of such groups performing on such platforms with some of the highest quality musicians from all over the world? The esteemed late astronaut, Michael P. Anderson said, “Whatever you are going to be in life, you are preparing for it now.” “Luck”, Oprah Winfrey says, “is preparation meeting opportunity.” I don’t believe in luck. I believe in the provision of God and His will for everything and everyone. In any case, these platforms are prepared places for prepared people.
My journey started in humble surroundings in the East Central neighborhood, as a little girl from a musical family. My late father played the church organ. My mother sang in the choir and was already raising my four musical oldest siblings with discipline and work ethic that gives impetus to talent. Then, my parents met, married, and continued to build their legacy in my two brothers and me. I have always wanted to be the best I could be for my Lord, my family, and for myself. This is the drive that took me to Gonzaga University, through the music education program, to teach in schools, public and private, where no other staff looked like me. I didn’t care. I wanted to share music with young people as it had been shared with and had blessed me.
I am the only Black woman in the Spokane Symphony organization. The same is true for Inland Northwest Opera when it is active. I keep preparing and challenging myself to audition and perform, in cooperation with my voice teacher, Ms. Nancy Klingman, with whom I have been singing since 2011. Last year, Nancy and I rose to the challenge of putting on a vocal recital, the excerpts from which we sent to opera companies all over the Pacific Northwest. From this came my latest opportunity and greatest challenge yet. I auditioned into the 2024-2025 Puget Sound Concert Opera Studio Artist Program. Here again, I am the only Black woman, and the only person from Spokane. I know I represent our Black community when and wherever I perform. Representation is not just important; it’s life changing. This is what motivates me to practice all I can, even on my lunch break. I am determined to make us proud.