Choir brings new sound to music department

By Braulio A. Tellez

 

MESQUITE, TX — The college’s choir has been belting out some unique songs and earning lots of praise this semester with the help of new director Melinda Imthurn.  The songs Imthurn’s students sing are not typical of a chorus. One of her favorite things to do is challenge students with songs that require more vocal skill, which she said strengthens their singing abilities.

For example, the song “Bonse Aba,” which is not accompanied by any kind of instrument, makes it necessary for the singers to hear an internal beat and create the rhythm with vocals alone.  “Bonse Aba” is an African song of celebration which is written in Zambian, and it’s just a really different sound from the traditional choir [pieces],” Imthurn said. “It’s a really out there, in your face kind of sound.”  Imthurn said she enjoys breaking the mold and teaching her students different musical styles.

“I think there’s this traditional image of choirs always having this particular sound, but really, there’s so many different kinds of music out there that require so many different sounds,” she said. “I like for my choirs to be able to make a variety of sounds and have different tone colors to fit a variety of songs.”