The Chester River Chorale begins its 13th season on a tremendous “high” after a very successful year in 2010/11. It was our first under the leadership of our new artistic team — Doug Cox, director and Sammy Marshall, accompanist — and I believe everyone's expectations were more than met. We were challenged, and every rehearsal was a learning experience. We made beautiful music, which both we and our very enthusiastic audiences enjoyed. And we had a lot of fun.

We sang Christmas and Hanakkuh music and “sold out” the beautiful Hotchkiss Recital Hall — twice. We sang Haydn and beautiful spring music at Kent County High School and in the historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Centerville. And we began the Chestertown Tea Party week-end with an incredibly stirring performance which packed the Prince Theater to the rafters.

This year will be yet better. Our holiday concert will feature Ralph Vaughn Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols along with other sacred and secular holiday music and will be presented in the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown with organ and chamber orchestra accompaniment. The March concert, L'Chaim will celebrate the many contribution of the Jewish community to American music — from Broadway and Tin Pan Alley to gorgeous sacred texts. And we intend to outdo ourselves in the Second Annual Tea Party Concert!

Rehearsals move to Thursday evening at Heron Point, beginning on September 8. Sign-up and registration will begin at 6:00 PM so that we may begin singing promptly at 7:00. No audition is required and singers of all voice parts and all levels of training and experience are welcomed. There is a membership fee of $40.00 per semester.

Please contact me by phone (410-810-1438) or e-mail if you would like more information. I look forward to seeing you there.

John Ames
President, Board of Directors