Singers let loose in new Manchoir at Timberline

In two rows and three sections, about 30 young men assembled in the Timberline High School choir room, faces forward, hands out of their pockets and by their sides.

"Do we get in our 'man-stance?' " one of them joked before the group began singing "Silent Night" for the debut of Manchoir, Timberline's new all-male choir under the direction of choir teacher Terry Shaw.

Manchoir will make its debut Dec. 12 at Timberline's Winter Arts Festival.

Shaw said members of an all-men's or all-women's choir seem to be willing to let loose and give performances they wouldn't give in a co-ed choir, such as the men stomping back and forth in rehearsal while singing their part of a Nigerian Christmas song.

Although "Betelehemu" will be a co-ed performance Dec. 12, a co-ed group might be more self-conscious about getting into the motions, Shaw said.

"We wouldn't do that if girls were here," he said.

The group started its first rehearsal after football season ended; Shaw is one of the football team's coaches.

Although Manchoir has been together for only three weeks, many members are in other choirs or play instruments in band or orchestra.

"I still think we have that same dedication as symphonic choir," said Mark Brown, 17, a senior. "But Manchoir is this big, awesome choir. Powerful."

Even though Brown was joking, Manchoir did have a booming bass sound while practicing "Silent Night" and a Christmas parody of the song "Silhouettes," a song performed by Herman's Hermits, among others.

The group learned those songs so quickly, Shaw added the Nigerian Christmas carol to the repertoire.

The idea of having an all-male choir has been around for a few years, said Jared Bell, 17, a senior.

After extensive publicity in the morning public-address announcements, about 50 men showed up to the first rehearsal, Brown said.

"I think it helped that Mr. Shaw is a football coach and teaches weightlifting," he said. "He's lifting 400 pounds and telling me, 'Join the choir.' "

Venice Buhain covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-5445 or vbuhain@theolympian.com.