Chorus hits all the right notes

The Petaluma Chorale welcomes Jeff Tolman as their new director, a lifelong lover of music who came to the position after a major life change.

Tolman spent 18 years working as a software engineer with a degree in computer science from California Polytechnic University, before he decided to pursue a life of music and go back to school for a degree. He moved to Creston, Iowa in order to attend the School for Music Vocation, led by famous jazz arranger Phil Mattson.

“I was privileged to sing in his group, VoicesIowa, which performed at Carnegie Hall in the spring of 2005,” added Tolman. He then finished his music education at Sacramento State and moved back to Petaluma, the town he calls home.

Tolman explained that his love for music began in a somewhat surprising way. “When I was in Cub Scouts, instead of going out to play with the other boys, I found a piano in the home of our scout leader and began to teach myself to play,” he said.

Tolman’s scout leader informed his parents of his piano encounters, and shortly after, Tolman’s parents purchased an upright piano, and he began taking lessons. Tolman then mastered the saxophone with the help of John Schuster at Petaluma High School, and was quickly accepted into his jazz band.

“I can still remember my first day in the band, because it was the first time I ever played with other musicians. It affected me so much that I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the day,” he recalled. “I knew I was hooked on music from that point on.”

At a young age, Tolman’s mother joined a women’s choral group in Petaluma called Les Chansonettes, which was led by Laila Schoenlein. This group then joined the men’s group, called the Harmoneers, and went on to perform at numerous concerts and Broadway musicals. Years later, Schoenlein started the Petaluma Chorale through the Santa Rosa Junior College at the Petaluma campus.

Since Tolman has always been involved with Schoenlein’s groups in one form or another, it made sense for him to take a leadership role after Schoenlein decided to step down as director for the chorale last May.

“What I enjoy most about the chorale are the people,” he said. “The chorale is more than just a chorus. It’s a community of people who enjoy singing and making music together, and there are many friendships that have formed within the chorale. I’m just very happy that I can help provide a place for people to come and sing and to enjoy the gift of music.”

Under the new direction of Tolman, the Petaluma Chorale’s winter program, “An Evening in December,” will showcase a variety of holiday songs. The local voices will joined by Gail Bowers as a guest soloist and The Polished Brass Quintet for sing-a-longs of festive holiday music.

The concert takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at the Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, at 580 Sonoma Mountain Parkway.

Tickets will be available at the door or through members of the Petaluma Chorale, and cost $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors, and are free for children under 12 years old.

(Kate Hoover can be reached at argus.arguscourier.com)