While Clarissa dairy farmer Pat Lunemann was growing up, he sang in his high school choir. It was a fine choir, and it performed quality music with style and commitment. It was a life-changing experience for Lunemann.

As the father of six children, five of them sons, he saw more and more small schools in Central Minnesota struggle to maintain quality choral programs in the face of increasing budget cuts. He saw more and more schools struggle to attract enough male singers to their programs to maintain a reasonably balanced mixed choir. To his dismay, he discovered that those young men who were singing in their high school choral programs were often so outnumbered by female singers that they were uncomfortable with the image of guys singing.

After high school, Lunemann continued singing in a men's chorus in the neighboring community of Staples. Recently, as that organization's President, he brought his concerns and his vision for addressing the problem to the Board of Directors of the Staples Area Men's Chorus. The Chorus, which had sponsored the formation of the Central Minnesota Boy's Choir a few years earlier, enthusiastically bought in to the vision. The result was a Choral Festival for young men entitled, "Real Men Sing!".

Participating high schools are not limited to bringing only their "best" students. They can bring one, four, or all of their male singers to the Festival. The Festival provides the opportunity to work under some of the very best choral directors in the state. Guest Conductors to date have been Michael Smith and Bruce Phelps. Mr. Smith has also served as the Festival Voice Teacher, conducting a session centered on proper vocal technique and getting the best sound out of every singer's voice.

At no charge to participating schools, the Staples Area Men's Chorus books the facility, hires a guest conductor and a voice teacher, buys the music, and provides an evening meal. Rehearsals and workshops are scheduled in the afternoon and the event is capped off with a concert in the evening. In addition to the Festival Chorus of over 200 Singers, the concert also features a high school men's chorus, a college or university men's chorus, and the Staples Area Men's Chorus. Guest choruses have been the Brainerd High School Bards Male Chorus and the Bemidji State University Men's Chorus. The Festival has been a resounding success, attracting 200 high school age young men from 15 communities.

It is hoped that the participants come with the music well learned, but in case there are trouble spots, the members of the Staples Area Men's Chorus are seated next to the young men during the rehearsals and in the evening concert, to guarantee that the event is an enriching and rewarding experience. This mentoring and leadership is meant to advance the goals of the event, which are to convince young men that "yes, real men do sing"; to inform them that there are artistic and creative opportunities waiting for them after leaving their high school choirs; to demonstrate that men from many walks of life and many ages, can come together, build community, create enriching music together, and have a great time doing it.

News Release from: Stan Carlson, Director Staples Area Men's Chorus Staples, Minnesota http://staplesmen.org

Staples Area Men's Chorus Staples, MN Conductor: Stan Carlson Accompanist: Ted Masog Contact: Bob Klick, Governor Contact Info