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Chorale Locations

The third annual Encore Chorale Camp at Chautauqua was a resounding success in every way.  There were 49 happy campers form Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania , Delaware, Washington, DC and Ontario, Canada who travelled to Chautauqua Institution in Western New York for a fabulous week of learning and performing choral music.  After registration at the beautiful Athenaeum Hotel on Monday at noon, the singers dove right in to their first choral rehearsal, singing thru all the pieces to give them an idea of the hard work ahead.  A lovely reception and dinner was next on the agenda, followed by a brilliant concert of “Encores for Encore” by violinist Heather Haughn and pianist Jay DeWire.  The tired campers were early in bed that first night.

The campers started Tuesday with a huge breakfast and then off to movement/dance class led by Peg Wallos-Barrett. It was a great class with lots of moving to get the singers warmed up for their morning choral rehearsal.  Rehearsal started with sectionals for the men and women and then the singers joined forces for the remainder of the rehearsal.  With just two rehearsals under their belt, they were already sounding quite good.   After lunch there was soprano technique class and  male  sectionals. Then the singers  enjoyed a lovely cruise on the paddle boat Chautauqua Belle.  It was indeed a very nice way to spend a l ate hot afternoon cruising on Chautauqua Lake.  The campers returned to the hotel  for a happy hour and then another fabulous dinner.  That evening they rehearsed The Music Man with camp guest conductor Dr. Barry Talley, retired musical director of the United States Naval Academy.  After rehearsing The Music Man, especially arranged for them by Dr. Talley, they were certainly pumped up and the hotel set up a cash bar. The singers enjoyed sitting out on the grand porch, enjoying New York wine, the lake breeze  and getting to know one another.

Wednesday started with movement class and then off to sectionals to nail down parts.  The singers still thought they needed more work on parts, so after lunch, they did more sectional work and then a full rehearsal.  The sound of the chorale was really starting to take shape.  It was a long but very productive day of rehearsing.  After yet another excellent dinner on the hotel porch overlooking the lake,  the singers attended a delightful concert performed by mezzo-soprano Jane Potter-Baumer, the Indiana, PA Encore Chorale Director.  She sang the best of Broadway and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening after a long day.  It was early to bed that night for most of the singers.

Thursday brought more sectionals and full rehearsals.  The singers were becoming confident with their singing and the sound was exciting.  Their strong musicianship was evident and they were close to performance level.  Thursday evening the singers enjoyed a performance by the comedy improvisation company Unexpected Guests.  Very funny indeed.  It was a good way to wind down from an exhausting day.

Friday morning, some of the diehards attended the final movement class.  It was also check-out time and then off to their final rehearsal. Lunch was served at the hotel and a special celebration of Betty Wren’s 74th birthday and Barry and Marcia Talley’s wedding anniversary.  But the big event was the 50th wedding anniversary of Frank and Karen Gould that day. The hotel served a beautiful cake and the singers serenaded the bride and groom.  Then it was out on the steps of the grand hotel for their camp picture.  The singers looked magnificent in their black Encore tee shirts.

The grand finale concert began at 2pm and the singers opened with Dona Nobis Pacem from Haydn’s Orgelmesse.  The tempo was brisk and the singing was precise and energetic.  They followed the Haydn with Handel’s And the Glory of the Lord from Messiah, with Dr. Talley conducting.  The sound was exciting and strong and the singers were enjoying themselves, as was the large and appreciative audience. Then the sound exploded with the spiritual Great Gettin’ Up Mornin'.  The energy level was higher than they had ever achieved in rehearsal. Following this was a beautiful reading of Bright Morning Stars – a Kentucky Hymn. Closing this portion of the concert, the singers gave a highly spirited performance of Great Day!   The singers were truly having a blast up on stage.

Then it was time to turn down the mood with beautiful and sincere performances of Gershwin’s But Not for Me and Embraceable You. The sound was shimmering. The grand finale came with a rousing performance of The Music Man, arranged by Talley.  The chorale chose to have not one, but five Harold Hills!  It worked well.   It was a ambitious and exciting piece to end the concert.  All the hard work the singers put into this arrangement really was evident. And the audience loved it.

After the concert, everyone said good bye to one another with lots of hugs and kisses until next year.  There will be many repeat campers.  These excellent singers learned a lot about their voices, met great friends, ate copious amounts of excellent food, enjoyed superb but hot weather, experienced the incredible sights and atmosphere of the Chautauqua Institution and gave a great final camp performance.  It was indeed a great way to spend five days!

The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage has once again booked the combined Encore Chorales for a holiday concert on December 23, 2010 (view last year's performance here).  This is a prime date and will guarantee the Chorale a great audience: It's the night of the Annual Kennedy Center Messiah Sing-a-Long.  This will be the highlight of Encore's holiday concert series that will include several high-profile venues.  SAVE THE DATE(S)!

Saturday, Dec. 11,  3pm  Kenmore Middle School in Arlington

Wednesday, Dec. 15, noon  Happenings Stage at Shakespeare Theatre

Sunday, Dec. 19,  3 pm  The new Cafritz Arts Center on the campus of Montgomery College in Takoma Park

Retired? Don't be a couch potato! Spend your Wednesday afternoons dancing!

In Dance Technique for Active Older Adults, Jane Franklin offers methods to integrate and refine movement while increasing flexibility, coordination and strength. The class consists of standing stretches, rhythmic patterns and dance sequences partnering with other class members.  Individual experience is acknowledged, no matter age, past training or physical proficiency

Instructor Jane Franklin received a MFA from the Ohio State University as University Fellow and certification from the Laban Institute for Movement Studies.  She is the Artistic Director of Jane Franklin Dance, a Washington DC metro area dance company that incorporates active participation in dance by people of all ages; performances outdoors, in galleries and non-traditional sites; and collaborations blending dance with media and visual arts. • Jane Franklin is a recipient of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Creative Communities Initiative grant and has received multiple state and local grants for projects that cross artistic disciplines.• Most recently, Jane Franklin was selected for the 2010 Source Festival “Artistic Blind Dates,” for Forward 5, is a professional development program of Dance/MetroDC , and to present a site specific performance for the Dance/USA at the Swedish Embassy. A STAR Award recipient for “Outstanding Community Outreach,” Jane Franklin Dance’s ongoing projects include work with the Senior Adult community, Forty+ – a performing group of older adults committed to the joys of movement past the age of 40 – and after school projects for youth. Jane Franklin Dance tours for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Paul Mellon Arts in Education Program and the Virginia Commission’s Tour Directory.

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Encore Chorale Camp at St. Mary’s College of Maryland 2010 was a resounding success. 30 campers gathered at the beautiful St. Mary’s College of Maryland June 15 – 19 ready to eat, sleep and drink music. Each day began with a movement/dance class where the campers enjoyed the expert teaching under dancer Tiffany Haughn. She put them thru their paces limbering up their bodies and teaching them exciting dance steps. Everyone enjoyed this entertaining class.

There were two choral rehearsals daily in which the singers learned vocal technique and rehearsed their choral repertoire under Encore founder Jeanne Kelly. With only nine 1 ½ hour rehearsals to prepare for the grand camp finale concert , the singers worked diligently at learning the notes and perfecting their tone and the style of the music.

The first evening opened with a catered dinner for the campers, followed by a concert by the fabulous West Shore Piano Trio in St. Mary’s Hall. With travelling to St. Mary’s College, taking a dance class and then rehearsing, the campers slept well indeed.

On Wednesday, the campers started with dance class, then a challenging rehearsal, lunch, followed by a short break and then on to a vocal technique class. The class was taught as if it were a private voice lesson. Students had the chance to sing alone and learn what to do to produce a better sound. This was a big hit. Then on to another choral rehearsal, followed by dinner.

Wednesday evening the campers participated in a drumming circle with Alan Yellowitz of “The Beat Goes On.” It was rhythmic, crazy, fun and loud! They had a ball playing many different types of percussion instruments. Then off to the dorms for another good night of rest.

Thursday was another day of dance and choral rehearsals. Thursday evening everyone enjoyed an All-American picnic at the beautiful St. Mary’s College Sailing Center, followed by a chartered boat ride. The campers enjoyed the stunning scenery of the St. Mary’s River. Captain Bruce Scheibel gave excellent narration of the fascinating history of the area. A fabulous evening for the campers!

Friday morning the campers thoroughly enjoyed their final dance class, followed by intense choral rehearsals throughout the day in preparation for their Saturday concert. Friday evening the campers enjoyed an excellent catered dinner, followed by an outdoor concert presented by the Chesapeake Orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Silberschlag. The campers enjoyed sipping wine and listening to Konzertstucke for Horns by Schumann, Samuel Barber’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with Jeffrey Chappell, pianist, and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 “Spring.” It was a spectacular evening.

Saturday was the big day and the campers were psyched. Their final camp concert was announced at the symphony concert the evening before and the singers were recognized in front of over 2000 concert goers. This was their chance to shine and shine they did!

Their repertoire included the spirited traditional folk song round of Hey Ho, Nobody’s Home, followed by the haunting melody of Black is the Color. Their sound was beautiful and focused. They sang lyrically with a lovely legato tone in Kyrie by Jay Althouse and Jazz Cantate by Andy Beck. Then they let their hair down with a rousing rendition of The Big City Sound including Theme from New York, New York, Walking to New Orleans, My Kind of Town (Chicago Is), and Hooray for Hollywood.

Closing the concert was a very spirited performance of Broadway Blockbusters from Broadways’ Longest Running Shows, including One, Beauty and the Beast, Tradition, Sun and the Moon, and Do You Hear the People Sing?

Encore Chorale Camp was a fabulous week of fun, meeting new friends with similar interests, learning more about their voices, attending excellent and professional concerts, and performing their own spectacular finale.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO PHOTO SLIDE SHOW

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Encore Chorale presented ten concerts this spring season and all ten of them showed how very talented the Encore singers, ages 55 and up, are.  The varied repertoire included spirituals Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit arranged by Moses Hogan and Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,  The Water is Wide with harp accompaniment, and Down to the River to Pray from the Motion Picture O Brother, Where Art Thou! The lighter side brought Just One of Those Things by Cole Porter and a wonderful medley of Lerner and Loewe.   Ending the concert was Gershwin’s triumphant Strike Up the Band.

The season started off with the Myerberg Encore Chorale performing for the Myerberg Senior Center Gala, featuring TV actor and writer Michael Tucker.  The singers sang a spirited mini concert of portions from Lerner and Loewe and ended with a rousing Strike Up the Band.  They were indeed very well received.  Michael Tucker’s (who is 65 years old himself) kindergarten teacher, June Sachs, was in the chorale.   Talk about a surprise for Tucker!

Singers from Langston, Smithsonian, Lorton and Potomac Academy at George Mason University performed a rousing concert at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center on May 1 under the “Big Top.”  Their concert was the first of Lorton’s summer concert season and the singers sang a spirited concert in 90 degree temperatures.  Their sound was precise and exciting and the audience rewarded the singers with much applause.  They certainly opened the Lorton Workhouse summer season in grand style. PHOTO ALBUM.

The next week Myerberg singers gave a memorable performance for the Myerberg Art Show and the large audience of over 200 showed their appreciation.

The Woodlands Retirement Community hosted Encore Chorales from Lorton and Potomac Academy of GMU for an Encore performance at their Open House.  The thirty singers were impressive in their performance, singing with clarity and focused sound.

The next evening found the original “Senior Singers Chorales” in concert at the Goodwin House Baileys Crossroads Retirement Community and on May 19 at the Goodwin House Alexandria.  The ninety singers gave a rousing performance and Ben Wilmot, a Goodwin House Baileys resident, presented a very impressive and beautiful piano medley of Cole Porter melodies.  Both evenings were a sheer delight.

Encore’s next concert was at St. Stephen’s Methodist Church in Burke, VA where Encore was the final act in St. Stephen’ spring concert series.  The magnificent space helped make the singers sound truly fabulous.   Encore Chorale singers from Langston, Lorton, Potomac Academy at GMU and Smithsonian performed flawlessly.   The finale was an audience sing along to The Sound of Music score and they certainly put out a great sound.  It was a most memorable afternoon.  PHOTO ALBUM.

The final week Schweinhaut Encore Chorale presented a concert at the Schweinhaut Senior Center in Silver Spring where they enjoyed a large audience.  The 55 singers performed beautifully, finishing their first year as an Encore Chorale.   Edward Chow, Jr. Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, a former member of the Smithsonian Encore Chorale, brought an eloquent message from Maryland Governor, Martin O’Malley.  There were many veterans in the audience and Secretary Chow’s visit was most appreciated.  PHOTO ALBUM.

Encore was pleased to present the Maryland Encore Chorales in their first performance together at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD on Thursday, May 20.   The singers had a big, beautiful sound and the energy level was huge.  The auditorium was packed to hear these wonderful singers in concert.   The guest artist for the evening was the fun and exciting Maryland Express Barbershop Quartet.  One of their songs required an audience member to sing and sustain a “very high note” for a “very long time.”  Tenor Don Carter from the Schweinhaut Encore Chorale stepped up to the plate magnificently.  The crowd roared!  Secretary Edward Chow of the Maryland Veteran’s Affairs again addressed the audience with words from Gov. O’Malley and the evening was a huge success. PHOTO ALBUM.

After a long and busy couple of weeks, Encore reached the end of the season with a final concert on Friday, May 21 at Washington – Lee High School with over 170 Encore Chorale singers performing.  It was an incredible evening of American Song with fabulous singing and energy.   The very large crowd nearly filled the 400 seat auditorium.  Smithsonian baritone Terry Hufford accompanied the lovely Water is Wide on the harp with the singers.  The guest artist for the evening was Alan Yellowitz of The Beat Goes On.  He did a drumming circle, inviting audience and chorale members to join in on the fun.   There were many different kinds of percussion instruments played by audience and chorale members, ages 8 thru 84! Lots of great sound!  PHOTO ALBUM. BEAT GOES ON PHOTOS.

This final concert was proof that older adults can flourish and perform a top quality concert with total command if given the opportunity to study under a professional artist.  They were simply superb.

A detailed schedule of the concerts, along with links to photo albums, is below.

Mon. Apr 26th, 7:00pm	Baltimore Hebrew Congregation	Myerberg Chorale - "An Evening with Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry"
Sat. May 1st, 3:00pm	Lorton Workhouse Arts Center - Under the Tent	Lorton, Langston Brown, Potomac Academy of GMU, Smithsonian Chorales PHOTOS
Sun. May 2nd, 4:00pm	Myerberg Senior Center	Myerberg Chorale at Myerberg Senior Center Art Show
Tue. May 11th, 12:30pm	Woodlands Retirement Community, Fairfax	Potomac Academy of GMU at Woodlands Open House
Wed. May 12th, 7:30pm	Goodwin House, Bailey's Crossroads	GHA, GHBC, Langston Chorales
Sun. May 16th, 3:00pm	St. Stephen's UMC Church, Burke, VA	Langston Brown, Lorton, Potomac Academy at GMU Chorales - St. Stephen's Concert Series PHOTOS
Mon. May 17th, 7:00pm	Margaret S. Schweinhaut Senior Center	Schweinhaut Chorale PHOTOS
Wed. May 19th, 7:30pm	Goodwin House Alexandria	GHA, GHBC, Langston Chorales
Thur. May 20th, 7:30pm	Pascal Performing Arts Center, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD	AACC, Myerberg, and Schweinhaut Chorales And Featuring the Maryland Express Barbershop Quartet PHOTOS
Fri. May 21st, 7:30pm	Washington-Lee High School, Arlington, VA	Lorton, Potomac Academy of GMU, GHA, GHBC, and Smithsonian Chorales Featuring Alan Yellowitz and The Beat Goes On PHOTOS BEAT GOES ON PHOTOS
Wed. June 2, 7:00pm	Laurel Lake Retirement Community, Hudson, OH	Laurel Lake Chorale