As part of KSB’s 15th Anniversary Gala Concert on June 18 at 7:30 pm in the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall, two Commonwealth Youthchoir alumni will be performing as soloists. Pennsylvania Girlchoir alumna Kathleen “Katie” O’Mara and KSB alumnus Christopher “Chris” Hochstuhl will be the soloists in Fitz’s Concert Mass, the featured work in the first half of the Gala Concert. Kathleen began at PG as a seventh grader and toured in Argentina and Uruguay as well as Italy before graduating in 2014. Chris joined KSB in ninth grade and participated in several mini-tours before graduating in 2011.
Kathleen O’Mara
Describe yourself in three words
Musical, passionate, and fun!
I would probably tell myself to try and step out of my shell as a musician and take more risks.
What was your most memorable choir moment?
When I was on tour with PG in Uruguay, we were touring through a small town and we were taken to a tiny little church that supposedly had the most beautiful acoustics. We stood around the sanctuary in our plane clothes, very jet-lagged and very hungry, and we sang “Lift Thine Eyes.” It was probably the most beautiful choral sound I had ever heard and I could not help but tear up. I will never forget that moment with my choir friends!
What song from your days with us sticks with you the most and why?
I would have to say “Total Praise.” It’s probably one of the obvious answers, but there is something so incredible about having a piece of music that a choir passes on to each generation of participants. It always brings me to tears and I miss singing it with the girl choir!
Why are you excited for the Gala Concert on June 18?
I cannot wait for the Gala! I just feel so lucky that I get to return as a soloist with a group of musicians who completely changed my life. I was always so excited to see such incredible featured soloists in the CY Choirs’ past concerts. I remember thinking that that was what I wanted to do someday and here I am!
Christopher Hochstuhl
Describe yourself in three words
Driven, passionate, dedicated
What advice would you give yourself if you were in middle school?
Don’t be so shy and wait to do the thing you want – ain’t enough time and therapy in the world, get out there and do it!
What was your most memorable choir moment?
Performing in the gala concerts in the Perelman Theater, with opera stars such as Lauren Flanigan, Frederica Von Stade, and Denyce Graves – just wow.
What song from your days with us sticks with you the most and why?
“We are the Boys,” the “Thank You Very Much” arrangement we’d sing on tours, “Baba Ye Tu,” “The Cap and Bells” (commission in 2011 Gala – I played the flute part with Amanda Ashbaker), “Baby Talk to Me” from Bye Bye Birdie (I always wanted to sing that solo so darn much!), Old Dan Tucker (I started as a Sop II treble).
Why are you excited for the Gala Concert on June 18?
To sing with KSB again. There just is not another choir out there that provides the same (incredible) musical experiences, as well as adventures, and brotherhood as KSB. Truly KSB is a one-of-kind experience, and I am so thankful for my time with the choir.
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