Summer Fun with Encore

Chautauqua Colorful Women1Unlike many choral organizations, Encore doesn't take the summer off.  Every year, Encore offers five- or six-day Summer Institutes, or "Summer Sleep-Away Camps," as the singers like to call them.  The days are consumed by morning exercise or yoga classes, choral rehearsals, sight reading classes, and vocal technique workshops, just to name a few of the activities.  In the evening, Encore brings in a variety of musical performers, from classical, to American Song Book, World Music and more.  This is also a great opportunity for singers to socialize and get to know each other.

Encore has been returning annually to Chautauqua Institution, NY for eleven years, and for the past several years to Washington College in beautiful Chestertown, MD.  In 2018, Encore offered its first-ever Rock & Roll Camp in historic Annapolis, MD.  Participation in Encore's summer programs is not restricted to current Encore singers.  Anyone over the age of 55 with a desire to participate is welcome to attend.

See below for photo and video highlights of the Summer of '18.

Sing with Encore at the Famed Chautauqua Institution

Encore Returns to the Chautauqua Institution for Our 12th Annual Summer Choral Institute August 25—August 30, 2019.

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The end of August in Chautauqua is a tradition as old as Encore  itself. It's easy to understand why if you've spent an evening on the porch of the Athenaeum Hotel sharing wine and conversation with fellow Encore singers. We asked last year's singers, "What did you especially like?"  One person's response: Whole ambiance - scenery, lake, front porch, eating outdoors, shuttle, buildings within walking distance, yoga classes, laughter, kind staff, accommodations - perfect place!"  Spot on!  So, again, we return to Chautauqua.

This Encore program will be conducted this year by Encore's Founder and Artistic Director Jeanne Kelly, and Ingrid Lestrud, who conducts the Langston Brown Encore Chorale and co-conducts the Glen Echo WCM Encore Chorale at Glen Echo. It draws singers from across the country interested in improving their vocal technique, rehearsing challenging choral music and spending a week in a beautiful setting with fellow music lovers.

Each day will begin with morning movement class, followed by a full choral rehearsal and an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings, including guided tours of the Institution’s grounds in the afternoons. There will be vocal technique classes and sectionals, as well as full rehearsals twice a day. Each evening we will enjoy a relaxing dinner in the beautiful Athenaeum Hotel dining room, followed by evening recitals and programs from artists of local and national reputation, to give participants a flavor of the “in-season” Chautauqua experience. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CONCERT SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM

The program will conclude Friday afternoon when we perform a choral concert for friends, family, and the local community in Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall. This is always a wonderful finale!

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