On a rainy Friday morning, six Chorus pro Musica singers braved the wet weather and made their way to the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon in Canton. CpM is partnering with Mass Audubon to present its upcoming world premiere of Audubon: A Multimedia Oratorio at historic Jordan Hall. The piece combines music and visual arts to bring to life the abundance of the North American frontier that Audubon so loved. The museum was a perfect location for singers to come together and give back to the Audubon community.
Jamie Falzone (Alto), Terry Grissino (Alto), Austin Klipp (Tenor), Peter Pulsifer (Tenor), Chris Walter (Bass), and Meg Weston (Soprano) traded in their concert attire for gardening gloves and got to work clearing out garden beds to beautify the campus.
The morning rain offered the group the chance to explore the museum’s exhibits and experience Audubon’s art up close. The current exhibit features waterbirds and includes pieces from 38 artists from across North America and Europe covering four centuries of art. Among the collection are sculptures, paintings, and John James Audubon’s own Kingfisher (found in The Phoebe movement of the oratorio). Museum goers can take a piece of the museum home at the giftshop which features beautiful note cards and stuffed animals. Jamie couldn’t resist the ruby-throated hummingbird, another movement in the oratorio! Owen Cunningham, the museum’s facilities manager and host for the day, showed the group around the special collection and vault, too. There were original Audubon prints, new arrivals, and centuries worth of priceless heirlooms.
Once the rain cleared the gang geared up in heavy-duty gloves, grabbed shears and shovels and trowels, and got to work. The overgrown garden beds needed to be cleared of leaves and weeds and prickly brambles. It wasn’t glamorous but it was surprisingly fun! Singers who don’t usually interact at rehearsals got to know each other and work together in a different way. There was talk of music, yes, but talk of family and other interests, too. When the work was done, the group had cleared out four garden beds that will soon be beautified by a group of girl scouts who will plant hundreds of tulips.
The team dined on pizza and beer to refresh and celebrate the morning’s accomplishments. This volunteer day was not just a way to give back but an opportunity to come together. There’s already talk of coming back next year to revisit our progress and help out again! We hope you’ll consider joining us.
In the meantime, be sure to get your tickets for the upcoming concert, an event not to be missed!