Photo Gallery: Viewfinder Children’s Choir
Published 12:01 am Thursday, May 23, 2019
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The children's choir sings and dances during pratice for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Aniyah Lane, 9, walks across the room waiting for practice to begin with the children's choir for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Natchez Festival of Music seamstress Grace Denton assists Ainsley Dupre', 11, with her jacket before the children's choir practice Wednesday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Michael Waycaster, 10, dances during practice with the children's choir for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
From left, Jane Carby , 9, and Ainsley Dupre', 11, pick out a song to dance and sing to during practice for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
The children's choir practices for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Ainsley Dupre' 11 is assisted by Natchez Festival of Music singer and actress and seamstress Tabitha Bass Wednesday during rehearsal. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Michael Waycaster, 10, listens to instruction during practice with the children's choir for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Musical instructor Cherish McCallum leads the children's choir in practice Wednesday for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
The children's choir practices for Natchez Festival of Music's production of "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
From left Ainsley Dupre'11, Michael waycaster, 10, Jane Carby, 9, Adele Middleton, 7, Gibson Hillyer, 9, second row from left, Ashleigh Johnson, 16, Frederick Lane, 12, Ava Walker, 11, Anyah Lane, 9, and Parker Claire, 13, the children's choir made up of all Natchez children stand together during practice for their performance "La Boheme"with the actors from The Natchez Festival of Music Wednesday at Margret Martin. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Natchez Festival of Music actors and seamstresses Tabitha Bass and Grace Denton work backstage together on costumes for "La Boheme" Wednesday at Margret Martin in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
NATCHEZ — Several local children will be onstage with Natchez Festival of Music Performers for the last musical production of the year, “La Boheme,” Saturday night at the Natchez Preforming Arts Center at Margaret Martin.
Music Instructor Cherish Bee McCallum said performing with professionals in an opera has been a great opportunity for the local children.
“For them to be around a different kind of music and different kind of acting and play an integral part in it, they are just so excited,” McCallum said.
Many of the children who will be performing in the children’s chorus Saturday night have performed previously at Natchez little theatre, including 13-year-old Parker Claire, who said operas are much different than the theatre musicals typically performed at Natchez Little Theatre.
“It’s different than when we practice,” Claire said, “and it’s in Italian.”
Production Manager Stacy Trenteseaux, who worked with the children on a few of the practices, said the children are fantastic to collaborate with.
“It can always be a challenge working with kids,” Trenteseaux said. “You never know what you’re going to get but they have been great, really well-behaved, excellent singers willing to do whatever we ask them to do. It has been a pleasure. They add a lot to the show both visually and vocally.”
The children’s choir will perform in the second half of the show Saturday night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 pm at the Margaret Martin building, 63 Homochitto St., Natchez.