Choral group to sing in Carnegie Hall
The Mount Blue students are one of two groups in Maine that were chosen to perform.
By Samantha C. DePoy
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – As the school bell rings, they saunter in, a giggling gaggle of high school girls, chatting in small groups about homework, movies and boys as they toss down book bags, shed their coats and reach for thick packets of sheet music.

They are a colorful collage comprised of a myriad of hobbies, talents, styles and personalities but when that first piano note rings out through the busy auditorium, the chatter stops and the 16 girls become one harmonious voice.

“One of our strengths is the blending of our voices,” says Hilary Fast, a 16-year-old from Wilton who is just one of the 16 Mount Blue High School students who make up Syncopations, an all-girls choral group.

Formed just one year ago, the group’s voices have gelled so quickly that they’ve already earned an honor many professional singers aspire to for a lifetime – the chance to have their songs resonate through the legendary 2,500-seat Carnegie Hall in New York City.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, said the group’s leader, Carol Shumway. “I get goosebumps every time I think about it,” she said, although the trip isn’t for another five months. “They will never forget their first time singing in Carnegie Hall.”

Girls only!

Shumway formed the group last year in response to a request from the athletic department that needed people to sing the national anthem at school sports events.

“The progression was a lot faster than people expected,” said Charity Allen, 17, of Farmington.

“We thought it would be fun to have an all-girls group and then when we actually all got together, it was like ‘Wow, this sounds pretty good!'”

The group has proven an important outlet for these high school girls, who like most teenagers are constantly under peer pressure as they come into their own.

“I feel like I can be free here,” said Sara Gilbert, 16, of Wilton. “And not have to impress any guys. I feel a hole if I don’t do it.”

Singing for their supper

It’s a long road for Syncopations from now until March 6 when they’ll sing with hundreds of other girls, from around the county as part of the illustrious 14th Field Studies International National Women’s Honor Choir.

Syncopations and a group from Sabattus were the only groups chosen from Maine.

The trip will cost each singer around $1,000.

This Saturday, they’ll congregate in Old South Church to record their first CD titled “Simply Christmas! Simply Syncopations!” All proceeds from sales will help finance the trip.

Patricia Hayden, a celebrated local pianist and organist who Shumway describes as the icing and the roses on the cake, accompanies the group.

“I think they’re exceptional,” Hayden whispered. “They are really, really a whole lot of fun. There is a lot of giggling.”

The elated feeling from learning their demo earned them a spot in the Carnegie Hall performance hasn’t worn off.

“There are 50 states and here we are, this group from a little town and we made it,” Kaitlyn Hall, a 17-year-old from Farmington, said. “It’s a huge experience. We’re psyched!”

Other members of Syncopations include Samantha Allen, Amanda Barton, Ashley Bourassa, Autumn Caywood, Elizabeth Cormier, Jamie Dalrymple, Malina Dumas, Amanda Jensen, Rebecca Peak, Sarah Peak, Angie Richards and Lindsay Wells.

For more information about Syncopations, or to make a donation for their March trip to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall, phone Carol Shumway at 778-3561.

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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