Make a joyful noise

Submitted by Gerry Clare

Roving Reporter

This year (2013-2014) the Island Chamber Singers are celebrating their 10th anniversary.  The mixed choir of about 40 with accompanist , guest soloists and small orchestras, performs locally four times a year in the Spring and the Fall, bringing classical choral music to audiences on Amelia Island.

Jane Lindberg, who founded the group in 2004, certainly believes in making music available to all. She and husband, Bob, moved to this area from South Carolina in 1998. They set up a family business, Springer Controls Company, which now represents companies overseas in Germany, Italy, Spain and Denmark and keeps both of them busy. Jane, however, got involved with music right away. As choir director for First Presbyterian Church, she led the choir to perform in 2004 in England, Scotland, and Wales. In 2006 they were joined by singers from other churches and performed in Ireland.  She also taught music at Jacksonville University.

In 2006 she started the Songspinners, an all-female group. They are more into the popular venue and perform locally as well, mostly for various groups.  In fact, Jane said their upcoming performance on December 9th with be filled with fun and surprises at New Vision Congregational Church-UCC in Yulee.  (Jane was very involved in bringing  the United Church of Christ to the area and is currently the music director.) The Songspinners will also be singing at the Ocean Club for the Plantation Ladies Association, the M&M’s at Memorial Methodist, Quality Health, Osprey Village and the MACs at First Presbyterian.

Jane was a piano major in college, but graduated with a degree in history.  She also has a Master of Fine Arts and a Doctorate of Musical Arts.  But her real love is teaching and playing the piano.  Bringing music and the arts to local schools is part of her job as President of the Board of Arts Alive Nassau, which has programs in Callahan and Yulee Elementary Schools. These efforts by Arts Alive bring her love of music and arts to students who would not normally have that experience.

When I last saw her, she was playing piano at Quality Health for a group of residents, who were truly appreciative of her efforts and calling out songs for her to play.  As she said, “reliving memories.” It is hard to believe this woman has so much energy and any time at all to relax.  But she thrives on helping others to “make a joyful noise” and we are truly lucky to have her in our community.

You can catch the Island Chamber Singers performing Mozart’s Requiem with a 10 piece orchestra on Friday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 24th at the Amelia Island Plantation Chapel. Six of Mozart’s vocal nocturnes are also part of the program. You can purchase tickets at www.IslandChamberSingers.org , at the Centre Street Welcome Center, or at the AIFBY Chamber at Gateway on A1A. Adult tickets are $15 each in advance or $20 at the door and there will be an opening night reception following Friday night’s performance.

November 18, 2013 1:00 a.m.