Laughs, Auctions And A Bit Of Fundraising For CCS

By Shannon Hicks

The Chamber Singers of Connecticut Choral Society, an a cappella group within The Connecticut Choral Society, provided most of the entertainment for a fundraiser event last weekend in Sandy Hook. The sang for a very appreciative audience huddled at times under a white catering tent that provided shelter from rain showers. The group also added entertainment to a live auction that raised money for future CCS concert events and travels.

“Autumn Melodies: Auction and Wine Tasting” offered friends and family of CCS the opportunity to visit McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook for an afternoon of wine tastings, refreshments, and silent and live auctions. Because of the weather – Saturday had been a beautiful crisp fall day, but Sunday dawned and then remained predominantly overcast and showery – a large white tent that had been set up a few days earlier outside of the vineyard’s gift barn and tasting room was a welcome haven for those walking in from the parking lot huddled under umbrellas or coat hoods.

CCS Chamber Singers director Bonnie Stephens led the group through a few short performances, and then through short musical interludes during the live auction event. In addition to Mrs Stephens, CCS Director of Music and Conductor John Liepold and Associate Conductor Scott Williamson were also among those in attendance.

A selection of antique jewelry was being offered in the silent auction, as were arrangements of fresh flowers from Lexington Gardens, an L.L. Bean “packnic” basket (a picnic basket that could be packed up and carried like a small suitcase), mugs and coffee from Starbucks, gift certificates for local restaurants, a 12-inch Save The Children serving platter, silver wine glasses, collections of hardcover children’s books, and more.

When bidding closed a number of bargains were uncovered. Among them: A ceramic walking polar bear was noted as a “made in Belgium 1920s, fine example of original work by Royal Dux.” The bear was estimated at $550 but one lucky bidder went home with a new addition for his collection after making the winning bid of just $100.

Choral Society member Ron Dukenski served as the afternoon’s auctioneer, and the live auction prices were as fantastic as the silent bidding had been.

A weekend in Vermont at a private home of two CCS members went for $135 and $180 (two groups will be sharing the weekend), and a one-week time share in Austria in June (or elsewhere, if the winners decide on a different destination) went for $800.

Tenor Scott Williamson offered two evenings of “dinner party” entertainment; one lot went for $200 and another went for $225. An original pencil drawing by Susanne Peck, a golf day at  Ridgewood Country Club and one at Heritage Village Country Club,  a gourmet dinner prepared by members of CCS, and a Thomas Kinkade numbered print of “Catalina Yacht Club” also sold.

Lots # 7 and 8 were the opportunity to conduct the Hallelujah chorus during the CCS Holiday Concerts, with the winner of Lot #7 conducting in Danbury and Lot #8 being in Woodbury. The Woodbury conducting honors went for $125.

When it was pointed out that the conducting honors came with coaching/conducting lessons by CCS Music Director John Liepold, Mr Dukenski took off his auctioneer’s hat for a few minutes to bid against CCS Associate Conductor Scott Williamson. Mr Williams won the lot with a final bid of $150.25.

“This is the most fun event we’ve ever held, outside of any singing,” CCS member Sherry Swanhall gushed following the auction.

She and her husband Mickey picked up a number of silent auction items and one of the live items. She was hardly alone in her idea, either, and mentions were already being made about “a bigger, better event next year.”

.The CCS Chamber Singers perform at holiday festivals and special events throughout the year including benefit concerts, cultural arts programs, school assemblies, business meetings, and other gatherings, broadening the base of the choral society and bringing music to places and opportunities not open to the larger chorus. One upcoming event for the Chamber Singers, for instance, is a December 7 performance at Brookfield Library – a location that would never be able to comfortably accommodate the full chorus plus its directors and accompanist.

Preparations are well underway for CT Choral Society’s Holiday Concerts. The performances will be December 12 in Danbury and December 14 in Woodbury, and each will include the winning bidder leading the Hallelujah chorus. The concerts will also feature performances of Mozart’s Vespers Solennes De Confessors and Finzi’s In Terra Pax, Opus 39. Tickets will be available in advance and at the door for each concert. Additional information is available by calling 800-555-5250 or visiting www.CTChoralSociety.org.