Page 10 - North Haven Magazine Issue 22 Winter 2022

by Marisa Hexter

Silk’N Sounds Chorus

Uplifting the Community through Song

Silk’N Sounds is a local all-women’s auditioned chorus founded in 1998, currently directed by Kia Lampe-Onnerud. The chorus is a member
of an international organization called Harmony Inc. Silk’N Sounds’ chorus is separated into the four-part vocal style. They have leads who
sing the melody, tenors who sing the highest notes, basses singing the lowest notes, and baritones who go between the leads and basses.
Their repertoire has varied throughout the years, having songs ranging from Broadway to pop, and they mainly perform acapella.
hen speaking with Deanna Rozak, together, you feel better.” Deanna also add- The future holds a lot of hope for new per-
WPublicity Chair for Silk’N Sounds, she ed, “It was really hard last year, very stressful formances for Silk’N Sounds. Their next
explained what went into making the music. for everyone, and so I think everyone was projected performance is in June, where
“Our songs are usually suggested by our di- really motivated for that reason as well. Ev- they will be at Temple Beth Shalom in Ham-
rector, Kia,” who will then present them to eryone was happy to work as hard as they den. “We’re really excited to get back to sing-
the music committee made of up a represen- could to continue to sing together.” Even ing for a live audience.” Once a year as well
tative from each of the four sections. They all during the hardships of COVID, in 2021, Harmony Incorporated sponsors a contest,
get together and discuss the possible songs. Silk’N Sounds welcomed five new members first a local competition which then culmi-
Once the decision is made, the music is then to their chorus. “I think it’s a testament to nated into an international contest, usually
presented to the entire chorus, then issuing the spirit of the chorus, that people are so taking place in November. The local com-
the written version of the music. “If you’re motivated to be together...” Rozak says. petition runs in April.” Deanna states, “We
a member of the chorus you will not only are continuing to prepare music in the event
be issued the music but an audio recording that we are able to compete.”
for your part. So each person will have the
opportunity to practice that on their own.” While Silk’N Sounds are not formally based
Then, they begin their practice together. in North Haven, as previously stated, the or-
“We work pretty closely with our section ganization holds its practices on the North
leaders and then when we have the oppor- Haven Middle and high school grounds.
tunity to be together, that’s when we’ll start “We’ve gotten to know North Haven very
trying to pull the song together,” Rozak says. well.” The chorus has performed at the town
library, holiday concerts, and other events
Recently meeting together has proven diffi- in town. Rozak said North Haven was a
cult, but Silk’N Sounds continue to try new We were so happy to have the group perform at last welcoming community for Silk’N Sounds,
ways to continue practicing. “It’s really a year's Winter Wonderland. They were wonderful. especially during COVID when they were
group effort, but Kia’s really our driving force not able to use their home base in Hamden
and has been really instrumental in allow- Silk’N Sounds also supports another local anymore. For these last two years, they have
ing us to continue to sing together during organization called New Reach. New Reach spent a lot of time rehearsing and perform-
COVID. Many choruses have suspended supports people affected by homelessness ing here in town, “We feel like we’re at home
rehearsals because they couldn’t sing in and poverty in the Greater New Haven area, in North Haven now.”
person,” Rozak mentions. Some of the ways serving women and children. “It seemed to
they continued to sing together involved vir- be a good fit,” Deanna says, “We wanted to Silk’N Sounds have proven that music can
tual vocal exercises on Zoom, outside prac- be women supporting women.” The chorus connect people in ways many of us have not
tices at the North Haven Middle School and also conducts pro bono work, including the thought about before. Their music is deter-
high school in many different weather con- Hamden Community Supper last year at mined to uplift both those who listen and
ditions, and even trying car rehearsals. Nev- Grace and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in the singers themselves. “We’re just a group
ertheless, the chorus was dedicated to keep Hamden. In December, Silk’N Sounds sang of women that enjoy each other’s company
performing despite the circumstances. “We at the Winter Wonderland, a drive-through in addition to singing together.” Through
had a group of women who really missed holiday event located at The Landing of the hardships of the last two years, they have
being together and were very motivated to North Haven, where they sang Christmas remained resilient and resolute on practice
do whatever it took to sing together. I think carols for the cars that went through, “It was and performing, reminding all of us just
singing was such a huge therapy and bond really fun.” how powerful the connection of music can
for all of us...when you get finished singing be.

North Haven Magazine - Winter Issue 2022
10