The Norway Pond Junior Minstrels had the chance of a lifetime last weekend, and they cashed in.
The local choir out of Hancock traveled to Tanglewood, out in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts, to perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They sang the children’s choir portion of the famed Carl Orff work “Carmina Burana,” and by all accounts, they nailed it.
“Everybody loved them,” said director Jody Hill Simpson. “You could just tell it was a grand success.”
The group took the opportunity to bond and spend a few days away from home, staying in a hotel, swimming and even trying out a ropes course. It was quite an experience, said choir member Claire LaPlante of Hancock.
“It was so cool,” LaPlante said. “All of the kids, including myself, took it really seriously — but it was also one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had.”
LaPlante admitted she was “kind of terrified” walking on stage with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, but any jitters she or any of her choirmates had melted away pretty quickly. In fact, Simpson said, the only criticism they received in rehearsal was that they were “too confident,” and that they should tone it down to be more innocent and childlike.
Although some of the performers were as young as seven, everyone was composed and well-behaved, in part, Simpson said, due to the wide age ranges, with the older children setting an example for the younger ones.
“I like to call them the Von Trapp Family on steroids,” Simpson joked of the 32-person group
It was an experience that none will soon forget. LaPlante, who’s been singing with the group for seven years, will probably age out of the choir this winter, but it’s created opportunities and experiences that will last a lifetime.
“I hope the performing arts are always a part of my life, even if that isn’t my main career,” LaPlante said. “Without joining the Junior Mints and receiving all the love and encouragement from Jody … I never would have known how important and fun music and acting are to me.”