back then
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Remembering Joan Volek
by Larry Chabot t was Christmas Eve in Ontonagon, sometime in the late 1940s. Parishioners at the Catholic church exchanged greetings as they filled the pews for midnight Mass. When the organist and choir began the first notes of the carol “Oh Holy Night,” a hush settled over the congregation, as if they knew what came next. And what came next was worth the wait... Teenager Joan Volek, gifted with a magnificent coloratura soprano voice, sang the carol with a stunning operatic recital that resonated in every corner of the church. No one spoke as her beautiful voice brought the carol to life. An Ontonagon native, Joan studied under Mrs. Wayne McCormick. So outstanding was her early voice that she was invited to perform on Ironwood radio station WJMS at only seven years of age. Every Saturday, Ford dealer Harold Labyak drove her 65 miles to Ironwood for the taping, where she accompanied herself on the piano while singing a variety of works, including favorites like “Mealtime at the Zoo” and” La donna e mobile.” Then Harold would drive her back home. Joan was highly intelligent, graduating a year early from Ontonagon High School in 1948 as the class valedictorian among 40 seniors. Naturally, she was a member of the Glee Club and school orchestra, and of course her pet peeve
was “popular music.” Joan’s yearbook profile predicted her performing at the Metropolitan Opera one day, which actually came to pass. Someone penned an appropriate verse for the profile: “She’s the girl with dreamy eyes, and music in her fingers lies.” For the record, a coloratura soprano sings the highest and one of the rarest vocal registers. Coloraturas are a breed apart. The coloratura soprano is capable of almost magical feats. Bonnie Vidmar Colclasure has fond memories of her talented cousin. “Those were exciting years in my aunt’s household, watching her rehearse and anticipating concerts at the Community Building,” Colclasure said. “I remember the beautiful dresses she wore for her concerts, but most of all her wonderful voice. The free
Illustration by Mike McKinney
December 2021
Marquette Monthly
45
