For the 2008-2009 season, the WB-IMF Chorus has over 120 members, the largest group in its history.

 

What do our members enjoy most about being in the Chorus?  Here is what some of them say:

 

Guillermo Almada (Argentina)

"Besides the obvious 'the music, the people and the friendships', for me singing in the choir is an opportunity for catharsis from the daily, crazy rhythm of a job in the bank.  There is something about some harmonies, about some melodies, about some sound...when they happen, they have this immediate effect on me.  I'm renewed.  Another angle, singing in a choir is one of the best practices for team building.  Regardless of status or position in the Bank, you are one more of the gorup.  Your input (your voice) is as important as everyone else's and it should not be louder nor softer."

-- Guillermo also sings with Coral Cantigas and is a member of Zarzuela Di Si.

 

Jill Barr (USA)

 World Bank retiree; worked in the education sector

 "I come out humming every time!  I like seeing the same friends week after week.  And I love the way we pull it together before performances even when my nervous side thinks it's a real stretch!  We have so many talented people... I remember enjoying singing while I was pregnant.  I credit the chorus with the musical interests of both my kids who first heard music (with the chorus and otherwise) in utero!

-- Jill sings occasionally with her church choir.

 

Ana Virginia Cope (Peru)

"I enjoy the quality music we make, including the selective international repertoire."

--Ana Virginia is was a founding member of the IDB choir (not operating since 2006).  Since 1990 she has been a member of the Holy Trinity Church Choir in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.,  with which she has taken 3 international musical trips:  Spain & Portugal; France; and Brazil.

 

Farah Dib (Lebanon)

"The joy of singing with others who are passionate about the same thing.  The ability of so many human voices to sing together in harmony and simulate a musical instrument.  The opportunity to escape from work and other responsibilities for one hour every week without having to go too far!"

 

Mary Lou Gomez (Philippines)

"I enjoy the experience of singing songs from all over the world and classical music."

-- Mary Lou also sings in her church choir and enjoys attending musical events like opera, Broadway shows, symphonies, etc.

 

Ivan Luis Goncalves de Oliveira  (Brazil)

"My main motivation in joining the Chorus is the joy of singing in a big choir."

 

Des Horton (Philippines/Australia)

"The music (of course), camaraderie, Diana's leadership, dynamic personality, and sense of humor."

-- Des plays the piano as a hobby.

 

Sabine Palmreuther (Germany)

"TO SING!  Our conductor Diana is a key asset of the chorus community -- she reinvigorated the Chorus and strengthened its identity.  Diana's professional excellence and dynamic style hold this identify together!"

-- Sabine takes private singing lessons where she does a different repertoire than the Chorus.  These two venues create interesting complementarities for her: the Chorus provides the space to apply the technique she studies in her classes.

 

Adrianina Rafamantanantsoa (Madagascar)

"I enjoy being able to praise God through beautiful songs."

-- Adrianina also sings with the Falls Church Presbyterian Church Chancel choir.

 

Frans Ronsholt (Denmark)

"What I like most is making music as team work."

 

Susanne Scheierling (Germany)

"I like the atmosphere in the group, and the incentive it provides to study things musical."

 

Kathryn Scott (USA)

"I enjoy joining my former colleagues (and current friends) in singing great music.  When I was still working with the Bank family, I really appreciated the weekly break from office routines (better exercise than going to the gym!).  I also enjoyed serving for many years as treasurer."

-- For years, Kathryn and her husband had their own non-performing madrigal group.  Since the early 1960s they also sang with the venerable group (also non-performing), the Bach and Beer Society; she still sings with them monthly.  Her late husband was a frequent conductor of the group, and also wrote music for them.

 

Janine Speakman (USA)

"I like seeing it all come together - moving from not knowing the music to performing for our concerts."

-- Janine sings with her church choir; when in her twenties, she performed with a Madrigal group and a gypsy troupe at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

 

Helen Toni (Scotland)

"What I enjoy most is still singing with all the friends I have made in the Chorus over the years and being given the wonderful opportunity on so many occasions to perform solos in the many wonderful pieces of music we have presented."

-- With her friend Julia Jackson, who sings harmony and provides guitar accompaniment, Helen performs a Celtic program and Christmas music in the Washington area.  They have also performed at the Culture Festival of the World Bank.  At the recent Annapolis Scottish Highland Games she sang the National Anthems of Canada, United Kingdom, and USA.

 

Torsten Wezel (Germany)

"Singing high quality music with nice and talented people; the relaxed atmosphere; Diana's conducting and Lorraine's organization."

-- Torsten also sings with a men's chorus, the Alexandria Harmonizers, and plays the piano and pipe organ.