Singers sought for chorus

The annual Gift of the Waters pageant is presented the first weekend in August.

The Women’s Chorus would welcome new singers. Ellen Mortimore, who began singing in the pageant in 1957 and continued for more than 30 years, is offering rehearsals for new singers beginning the first Sunday of July, the first, starting at 4 p.m. at Community Federated Church. Additional rehearsals are scheduled for Sundays in July, beginning at 4 p.m., through July 22.

Mortimore explained, “The Women’s Chorus sing the story of the giving of Bahguewana (smoking water) to the Tibo (white man). They pray to Dama Upa (Creator) as they are sorrowful over the exchange. ‘Hear our cry,’ they sing. They conclude with a farewell to Bahguewana.”

She further noted her husband, Clark, “was trained by the author/composer to read the narration beginning when he was in high school (1950’s) because his voice was low and resonant. He narrated at least 40 years.

“I sang and soloed in the pageant for 30-plus years but not nearly as long as JoAnn Myers, Barbara Vietti and Janet Chimenti.”

As this pageant is a major historical event for Thermopolis, singing support is much appreciated.

Call 921-1063 for more information.