NIC Chorale and Chamber Lifts Every Voice and Sings

NIC’s music department graced downtown Coeur d’Alene with its talents on Tuesday in the name of music, scholarship and those who support both.

The Cardinal Chorale and the Chamber Singers, both directed by NIC choral instructor Max Mendez, performed their show “Lift Every Voice and Sing” to an overflowing audience at First Presbyterian Church, entertaining them with everything from traditional Latin hymns to unconventional soundscapes involving water, wind chimes and whispering.

Choral/Music Instructor Max Mendez joyously at work. -Abigail Nelson/Sentinel

Mendez said, “[The music department’s] goal is one of service and stewardship to the community.” The show was dedicated “to benefit NIC music scholarships.”

During the performance, the choirs also honored the late Wendy Lee, a professional singer and educator from Texas whose family lives in the CDA/Hayden area, with a solo by Aubrey Craviotto.

The performance earned her a standing ovation. Mendez said of Lee, “I was immediately impressed with not only her voice, but her passion for music.”  Lee passed away last year.

A scholarship in Lee’s name will be given to a student who demonstrates a deep passion for music, helps the community through music and shows academic merit.

Mendez also presented the “Emerging Student Artist” Katelynn Eppenstein, 23, Plainfield, who accompanied the choir with a clarinet solo during one of their pieces.

“It’s a celebration that we embrace very seriously, very whole-heartedly,” Mendez said of the title.

Eppenstein, who is majoring in music education and graduating in May, said the scholarship is the department’s way of saying they support her in her future endeavors.

“That’s just all this music department was, was just a huge family for me,” Eppenstein said. “It’s my home away from home.”

Eppenstein said the scholarship helped pay for her tuition this semester.

Members of the choirs will travel to New York City this month to sing in the Carnegie Hall debut of Tim Sharp’s “High Lonesome Mass.”