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general music


Where is Your Joy? Karen Tordera, WMEA State Chair, General Music


What brings you joy? Is it performing in or leading musi- cal groups? Keep- ing music a part of our own lives can bring us joy. Lead- ing a group outside of school can bring others joy, too.


When thinking about the power of music bringing joy throughout life, Ms. Judy Brandt and her community music groups immediately came to my mind.


Judy Brandt has been teaching music for more than 33 years. Before retiring in 2002, she directed the choirs at Deerfield High School for 27 years and before that she directed choirs and bands and taught general music in Hudson, Randolph and Fort Atkinson.


After retiring, Judy helped form the Cambridge-Deerfield (CD) Players group, which presents a musical each summer featuring nearly 70 local residents of all ages. The next summer, Judy started a men’s community choir. Since 2004, The Country Chordsmen choir has grown to 40 members. They sing at community events and present their own concerts during the year. After the CD Players performed “The Sound of Music” in 2006, Judy felt the need to start a women’s community choir as well. She put a notice in the local newspaper and thought that perhaps 25 women might be interested. At the first rehearsal, more than 50 women attended! Bel Canto is now 75 women strong. They perform at community events and sing with the men at the annual Yuletide Festival as well as the CD Players Dinner Show. Without Judy’s leadership, these groups may have never been formed.


The community has recognized her talents and efforts by providing support in many ways. Recently, her groups found a home in the Cambridge Historic Gym where the


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musicals and concerts will be performed. Members of the groups contributed to pur- chase an electronic piano. The community has donated props, costumes and equip- ment to ensure quality performances.


I sat down with Judy in the midst of rehearsals for this summer’s musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and asked her questions about working with community members of all ages.


Bringing Together the Young and Old (and all of us in between) Judy has made many connections between school-aged and adult musicians, not only during the summer musicals, but through- out the year. She has directed and assisted with both high schools’ musicals as well as accompanying and coaching for solo and ensemble festivals. She makes a connec- tion with the students and they trust her. If Ms. Brandt says, “Let’s do this!” they will do it. Having that relationship with students makes it easier to encourage them to audition for the summer musical or join the community choirs. Recently, some of the tenors from the men’s choir were not able to sing for a concert, so she asked some freshmen boys to fill in, which they happily agreed to do.


Kevin St. John started singing in the men’s choir when he was in middle school. Now a vocal music education major at UW-Green Bay, he is the lead in this sum- mer’s musical. Kevin credits his success to Judy. He states, “Judy is one of the most influential people in my life. She has helped me through troubles musically, as well as day-to-day troubles. Judy has had the success musically that I hope to have someday.”


Judy confirmed that she has seen examples of teamwork and creativity between all age groups. During musical rehearsals, groups representing all ages have worked together


“When thinking about the power of music bringing joy throughout life, Ms. Judy Brandt and her community music


groups immediately came to my mind.”


to figure out how to choreograph a par- ticular scene. Judy says, “It’s very cool to watch the people that have changed. Some are timid when they join the group, but then gain confidence and are ready to sing a solo.” Some members had negative experiences when they were younger, so Judy encourages them to do what they are comfortable doing. More than once, she has been surprised at what they are willing to do. Some people start with an attitude of “I don’t really know if I want to sing with this group” and it changes to “I cannot wait to sing with them again.” Other adults cannot read music when they start, but improve in their ability to do so over the years. Others read music in high school, but have not used their skills for a long time. They suddenly remember that they can still do it! Some are still just learning by rote, but enjoy singing just the same.


“Working with these groups keeps me young, active and sane! I cannot imagine sitting at home ... what would I do?” says Judy. When asked what she finds per- sonally rewarding, Judy answers, “It is fulfilling to see so many people involved in music ... to see the commitment they have to make it work. They are doing the best job they can possibly do.”


September 2011


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