by Lucy Hurlburt ’16

This is Sherwood’s fifth year hosting The Singers of United Lands (SOUL), a non-profit organization created in 2002. SOUL is made up of a quartet (consisting of a soprano, alto, tenor and bass) of professional singers, two males and two females, each from a different continental region of the world. The singers tour for six months from January to June, and they perform at many different venues which include private and public schools and colleges, synagogues, nursing homes, radio stations and theatres.

This year, Evgeny Sokolov is representing Russia, My-Leen Formento, the Philippines, Maria Díaz, Guatemala and John Kennedy, Ireland.

On April 15, the Singers of United Lands performed for choir classes, and The Warrior had the chance to ask these singers some questions about the tour and their personal experiences.

The Warrior: Why did you decide to participate in SOUL?

Maria:

I think it’s a very good opportunity to show your culture and learn new things. I feel proud to be able to represent my country and share with my audiences some of my experiences.

Evgeny:

My translator suggested it to me and I did not know any English, so for six months before the tour, I took English classes.

What is your job and what are your hobbies?

John:

I am actually a singer in a medieval banquet in a castle and it is really cool! I enjoy singing, watching movies, kayaking, travelling and taking apart computers.

What is it like having to travel on the road for six months and what do you do to stay healthy?

My-Leen:

It is obviously very tiring but we are more than halfway through our program! To stay healthy, I take a lot of vitamins and I exercise every day. I go running every morning for fifteen minutes and if I can’t go outside, I run in place.

What instruments do you play?

Evgeny:

I play guitar, piano, accordion, balalaika (tenor). And Balalaika, there are three: alto, tenor, bass. You play two songs on balalaika tenor but can play three on the bass. You need to use two or three fingers to play a note.

SOUL has traveled all around the U.S. and has been to Chicago, Tennessee and Maryland recently. Their next stop is in Africa.