Lori Ferguson accompanies and Mr. Eric Mohlis directs the VSHS choir and Simon Estes.
A few more photos of the choir with Simon Estes, courtesy of Bill Owens...
Simon Estes gestures at the end of his song with VSHS Choir. Photos courtesy Bill Owens.
Exchange student Rosali Scharnert and another choir member, Megan Jorgensen, speak to Simon Estes.
World-renowned singer Simon Estes gave Vinton-Shellsburg students and choir members a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during his visit to Vinton, said VS Choir Director Eric Mohlis.
"For myself and the students it was a-once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us," said Mohlis. "As we got into the assembly it became apparent to all of us. It was a great thing to work with great man who is still humble."
Estes, whose opera singing has earned him invitations from several U.S. Presidents as well as kings and queens and other leaders worldwide, spoke to VSHS students during an assembly on Friday. He then held a clinic with the choir members. Then on Saturday, several of those students joined Estes on the stage to sing a song with him.
"It was one of those things where I just sat back and said, 'Wow, this really just happened,'" said Mohlis "It was a great thing for the kids and the audience."
Estes had told the students about his humble childhood in Centerville Iowa. He said he had never even heard opera and never dreamed of going farther east than Chicago.
"I think one of the things the students realized from listening to Simon Estes was that if anyone is dedicated to the craft of music, any of them can succeed," said Mohlis. "Hearing Simon's history helped them to say to themselves, "Just because I am from small town Iowa it does not mean I can't do something big."
Also, said the choir director, "Music can be a part of their life forever and will always be a presence for them.
"That's what the kids spent this morning discussing," said Mohlis on Monday, two days after the students sang with Estes.
One mother of two VSHS choir members said her daughters were "still on Cloud 9" Monday.
The VSHS Chamber Choir worked all semester preparing to sing with Estes, said Mohlis. But they did not actually sing with him until Saturday's performance.
"It was a treat for all of us," said Mohlis.
Mohlis thanked Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Vinton and FSB President Darlys Hulme for bringing Estes to Vinton.
"I was talking to Simon and his manager, and they told me they were impressed with Vinton and its commitment to fine arts in this community," he said. "It's a great thing to be in a community that supports fine arts this way."
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