THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503080220
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
What do Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin and students of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's Upper School have in common?
Based on the teens' reaction Tuesday to Yale University's Russian Chorus, they share admiration for the performers, which now include 1993 N-SA graduate Raymond Bailey.
``Spasibo bol'shoye'' or ``thank you, greatly,'' Gorbachev once told the young singers; ``Molodtsi!'' which translates into ``bravo!'' was the Yeltsin cheer. And there was enthusiastic applause for Tuesday's 45-minute, a-cappella concert.
The concert tour of sacred, secular and folk songs includes stops in Washington and at Carnegie Hall. A phone request brought Bailey and his friends to N-SA.
At Yale, Bailey is majoring in theater and music, ``with the accent on theater,'' he said. He is in his second year but has the status of junior because of accelerated credits.
Bailey, musical director of ``L'il Abner,'' ``The King and I'' and ``Pirates of Penzance'' at N-SA, has not slowed down. He is a member of the Yale University Choir, the Battell Chapel Choir and the Yale Concert Band.
Bailey sings during the school's Sunday morning services, and, as a member of the Yale Guild of Carillonneurs, he helps ring the large, tuned set of bells in the bell tower.
He is in the Yale production of ``Rags,'' with a number of small roles. When he is not needed on stage, he dashes over to the orchestra to play piano.
He continues what he began before he left home - studying singing, the piano and penning original compositions.
``I'll have one or two items in concert (at Yale) at the end of the year,'' said Bailey. He also hopes to perform at N-SA 's fall talent show.
The Isle of Wight County native said, ``I'm enjoying myself immensely. If I wasn't completely busy all the time, I'd be bored out of my head.''
Bailey, who was on the All-USA High School Academic Team in 1992, was a Merit Scholarship finalist and attended the Governor's School for the Performing Arts.
A schoolmate will join Bailey at Yale next year. One number in the concert was dedicated to Elizabeth Styron, who recently learned of her acceptance.
At NSA most of the chorus numbers were up-tempo, about love and other relationships. Each song was preceded by an introduction explaining the music performed in the languages of Russia, Macedonia, Georgia and the Ukraine.
In September the Yale University Chorus - whose 34 members are students, members of the faculty and staff and some New Haven, Conn., residents - performed for Yeltsin and President Clinton at the White House.
After commencement, the singers will go to the Ukraine to do benefits for the Children of Chernobyl Relief Fund.
``The focus of the chorus' mission has been to revitalize the Russian musical traditions that nearly disappeared during 70 years of Communist rule,'' said Jordan Prutkin, publicist for the singers. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Raymond Bailey, second from right, sings with the Yale University's
Russian Chorus. Bailey, a theater and music major at Yale, is a
1993 graduate of N-SA Academy.
Yale University's Russian Chorus performs Tuesday for N-SA
students.
by CNB