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Generations Chorus
April 2013 - AC&C Leominster, MA
Photo by Matt Avery, Avery Photography, Hudson, MA
Celebrating its 10th
Anniversary
Generations Chorus
brings family members of different generations across
international boundaries to sing together every spring, at the
Area 2 Convention & Contests (AC&C).
History
Generations Chorus
was originally founded in 2004, as the Area 2 Youth Chorus. Its
purpose was to give youth members, ages 23 and under, a chance
to meet one another, get acquainted, learn and have fun singing
together. It was the first-ever youth chorus in Harmony, Inc.
also directed by a youth member. When it was discovered that
none of the young girls could sing bass, a few moms pitched in –
and the chorus was born.
The Area 2
Youth Chorus first performed at AC&C 2004 in Montreal, under the
direction of Jennifer (Jen) Wheaton. It was an immediate hit.
The chorus performed so well and the audience’s reaction was so
positive that Harmony’s International Board of Directors
approved founding a Harmony Youth Chorus, which debuted later
that same year at IC&C in Rochester, NY. The Harmony Youth
Chorus later became known as the Minor Chords.
In its
second year, Area 2’s youth chorus decided upon a new name:
Generations Chorus. Over the next few years, Area 2
invited other relatives of the girls (not just their moms) to
participate, expanding the chorus to include sisters, aunts,
cousins, grandmothers, etc. Jen Wheaton continued to direct the
chorus for the next four years. In 2009, Christina Tramack was
named director and continued through 2011 (with her mother,
Renee, substituting in 2010 when Christina had a school
conflict). In 2012, Samantha Tramack, Christina’s younger
sister, was appointed Generations Chorus’ new director.
Today,
Generations Chorus
includes mother/daughter teams, ‘sister acts,’ three-generation
families, plus other combinations of relatives. All youth
members of Area 2 (now ages 25 and under), plus relatives of any
age (not just minors) can be members. Truly, it is an
international, inter-generational chorus.
Samantha Tramack, Director
Samantha Tramack first joined New England Voices in Harmony
in 2007 when she was 9 years old. Currently 15, she became
director of Generations Chorus in 2012, when she was a
high school freshman.
Samantha comes from a long tradition of family singers. A
fifth-generation barbershopper on her father's side and
third-generation on her mother's, Samantha has the vocal ability
and “ear” to sing several different parts.
In her six years as a Harmony member, Samantha has already won
six international medals with her chorus and competed with
three quartets! In 2009, she sang lead with Three and a
Half. Samantha
currently
sings tenor with Sister Act, 2012 International 11th
Place Quartet and winner of the Findlay Plaque (novice quartet
award), along with her sister, Christina, and Amanda and Andrea
Hutchings, sisters from Maine-ly Harmony. Samantha also sings
baritone with Family Fun, 2013 Area 2 6th
Place Quartet, with her mother, Renee, and another
mother-daughter team, Diane and Carey Fagerstrom.
Samantha’s mother, Renee, sister, Christina, and her
grandmother, Pat Longchamp, charter member of Champlain
Echoes, also sing with Generations Chorus.
Samantha is
very
strong vocally and also is a member of her high school’s
chorale, concert choir and jazz choir, and also band.
Samantha
consistently demonstrates a maturity far beyond her years. We
are fortunate to have her direct Area 2’s Generations Chorus.
Link to:
AC&C 2013 Candid Photos from Matt Avery, Avery
Photography, Hudson, MA |
