About the CRC

A Brief History

For the last two decades of the twentieth century, Washington College (WC)
offered concerts by its College and Community Chorus, most recently under
the direction of Professor Kathleen Mills. That group brought together
undergraduates from WC and members of the Chestertown community to sing,
until Prof. Mills resigned to move to New Mexico in 1999. In the months that followed,
it became apparent that the WC Community Chorus would not continue.

Late that summer, the new Chester River Chorale (CRC) was founded by its first
Music Director, Bud Dengler, and his wife/accompanist Jane. The Denglers
brought with them from Pennsylvania nearly one hundred combined years of
experience directing and accompanying choral music in schools, churches, and
community organizations, including the celebrated Orpheus Society of
Philadelphia. Forty-seven singers participated in the Chorale's first
concerts on December 10 -11, 1999.

That same year, the CRC was offered a new rehearsal home by The Presbyterian
Church of Chestertown, where the Denglers also served as Choirmaster and
Organist. The Chorale continues to rehearse there from mid-September until
early May, meeting every Thursday evening from 6:30-9:00 PM.

When the Denglers returned to Pennsylvania in 2002, Ann C. Turpin of
Centreville, MD became the CRC's new Director. Her background includes an
undergraduate degree in Organ Performance from DePauw University (IN) and a
Masters Degree in Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary, with
additional study at Westminster Choir College (NJ), and five decades of
experience in the field. She is also the founding Director of The
Chesapeake Youth Chorale. Under her leadership, a smaller volunteer group
has emerged within the larger CRC to sing an even more demanding repertoire.

Accompanists have included Ann Hoopes, Tamara Sanikidze from the Republic of Georgia, a doctoral
student at the University of Maryland, SFC Sammy Marshall of the U.S. Army Field Band, Kate Bennett and
Robert Tyson of Chestertown Maryland, Dr. William F. Wharton, and Jonathan, and Jonathan
Emmons from Dover Delaware.

Who We Are Today

Since September of 1999, The Chester River Chorale (CRC) has evolved into a
non-profit 501 (c) (3), all-volunteer, eighty-voice community chorus. The CRC
includes members from several counties on the Upper Eastern Shore, with a
range of experience from those with graduate music training, to church choir
members, to "shower-stall singers". There is no requirement either for an
audition or the ability to read printed music. Members range in age from
teenagers to octogenarians, and come together because they love to sing, to
learn new music, and to enhance their skills.

Two major concerts are scheduled each year -- during
Advent and in the early Spring. The Chorale also performs regularly in
Chestertown’s summer-time Music in the Park Series, in Messiah Sing-Alongs,
benefits at The Prince Theater, at annual community Martin Luther King Birthday
celebrations, and Community Thanksgiving observances.

The Christmas Concert typically features masterwork classics, plus other
seasonal religious and contemporary music, and often is given in the
sanctuary of Emmanuel Parish in Chestertown. Emmanuel has an outstanding
Harrison and Harrison pipe organ -- regarded by many as the best church
instrument on the Eastern Shore. Spring concerts have been held in several
other Kent and Queen Anne's County venues, and have included Broadway show
music, spirituals, folk, pop and other contemporary American music.

The Chorale, participated in Chestertown’s Tri-Centennial C-300 Celebration in the fall
of 2006 by joining in a concert of American Music with the well-loved and widely
traveled Soldiers Chorus and U. S. Army Field Band from Fort Meade, Maryland.