Steve Hoemberg The Staples Area Men’s Chorus (SAMC) welcomes a new director and a new accompanist. Upon the retirement of Stan Carlson, who served for 39 years as director and the departure of accompanist Jackie Tellers, the SAMC hired well known local musicians Steve Hoemberg and Sandy Paskewitz to take over as director and accompanist, respectively. Although these roles with the SAMC are new for both of them, the team of Hoemberg and Paskewitz is quite familiar.

Hoemberg and Paskewitz are entering their 10th year working together as director and accompanist. Since 2002, Paskewitz has accompanied every school and community choir that Hoemberg has directed. In addition to working with large choirs, Paskewitz has accompanied over 500 SMHS solos, ensembles at

sub section, section and

state music contest since ’02.

“In addition to our new director and accompanist, we also hope to welcome many new members this year,” says chorus president Ron Nypan.

Sandy Paskewitz The chorus will hold its annual “NEW MEMBER NIGHT” on Sept. 15 at 8:30 p.m. in the Staples Motley High School choir room.

This special rehearsal is designed

to provide a relaxed “no strings attached” environment

where men with even the slightest interest in becoming members of the chorus can attend.

“Men are encouraged to bring friends and come give it a shot,” according to Hoemberg. “We know there are many guys who love to sing, but are afraid of adding it to their plate. We hope this night will help them realize it can work.”

“With our existing members and new members all together, I wouldn’t be surprised if we had 60 guys show up that night,” Hoemberg continues. “If we can get a handful of guys to come out of their shells and show up, it could be awesome”

Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 8:30-10 p.m., always at the high school choir room.

The “modern era” of the SAMC began in 1971. Since that time the organization has been an integral part of the cultural well-being of central Minnesota. The SAMC has earned state wide recognition and respect among concert goers and professional musicians alike for its dedication to high quality music-making and the promotion of their craft of singing throughout the region. Perhaps the biggest example of their outreach efforts will be displayed at their “REAL MEN SING” concert.

On Oct. 9, “REAL MEN SING” will feature approximately 250 high school, college and adult men singing together under the direction of Dr. Tim Sawyer of Northwestern College. The “REAL MEN SING” program was not only designed to give local audiences the thrill of a ground-shaking men’s chorus performance, but to give literally hundreds of young men a chance to sing with other men, which is something that most young rural male singers wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to do.

The SAMC also has a longstanding tradition of performing in surrounding communities, Big Sing festivals, retirement communities and a variety of private and community functions. The chorus also frequently collaborates with other community chorus. The next such collaboration will feature the SAMC, the Staples Area Women’s Chorus and the Colla Voce Girl’s Choir at the “Community Christmas Concert” on Dec. 11.

For more information about the chorus, including upcoming concerts and tickets, visit www.staplesmen. org. You can also find them on facebook by searching “staples area men’s chorus.”