Springs band recorded with Yo-Yo Ma, will play Sunday
On a morning in early November, 19 people waited in a Boston studio for a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
“It really hadn’t sunk in,” said Kevin McChesney of the recording session that the Pikes Peak Ringers were about to embark on with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. “I mean, I knew what was happening, but it was a little unreal. It didn’t hit me until later.”
McChesney became the architect of that dream come true about a year ago, when he entered an online contest that challenged musicians to compose a work around Ma’s posted rendition of “Dona Nobis Pacem.”
McChesney, founder and music director of the Pikes Peak Ringers, uploaded a lush handbell piece.
Though the public would vote on its favorite, Ma would pick the winner to record a song for the iTunes rerelease of his CD “Songs of Joys and Peace.”
On Jan. 16, the Indaba Music Web site leaked the names of two winners: McChesney and an electric guitarist named Toshi. It was officially announced about three hours later on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.”
“The arrangement is phenomenal,” Ma told moderator Robert Siegel, “and the professional quality of what this group has done is absolutely stunning.”
McChesney was floored.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said after the win. “I would say one of disbelief is one of the main reactions.”
A triumph, but one that would take time to come to fruition. Between Ma’s busy schedule and the obligations of 19 ringers, Sony — Ma’s label — didn’t call with a date for the all-expenses-paid trip until July.
But on that fateful morning in November, they were ready and waiting in the Boston studios of WGBH.
“Once he entered the room, we were all pretty nervous,” said Cathy Holiday, who has been playing the handbells since she was 8. “But he was really nice. He acted like a real person. He wasn’t acting like the best cellist in the world.”
Ma introduced himself to every musician and talked with them a bit.
“He seemed really interested in what we do,” McChesney said. “It wasn’t just to set us at ease but because he wanted to.”
He doesn’t remember how many takes there were. “Maybe five. Maybe 20,” he said.
The tune is available on iTunes as a single or as part of the album.
What will happen after this? McChesney shrugs.
“It’s certainly important for the instrument. The whole reason I entered the contest was to get attention for the instrument,” he said. “We want to bring it beyond the handbell world because it really does belong on the concert stage. Only time will tell.”
DETAILS
“Christmas Joy”
What: Traditional holiday fare with an appearance by the Pikes Peak Ringers
When: 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave.
Tickets: $11.25 to $20; 520-SHOW , (866) 464-2626, 576-2626
What: With the Air Force Brass
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 8
Where:Ascension Lutheran Church, 2505 N. Circle Drive
Tickets: Donations accepted; 265-9691, pikespeakringers.com
