Choral Society

Conducted by Dr. Gayle h Martin, the Choral Society is a choir of mixed voices with a membership of approximately 60 members. Singers include students enrolled in the Music and other Mount Allison programss, faculty and staff members from the University community, as well as singers from the Sackville, Amherst, and Moncton areas.Although members are not auditioned, if you are considering joining the Choral Society please arrange a meeting with the director for acquaintance purposes. We hope that we may accommodate anyone with an avid interest in, and a commitment to the art of choral singing; however, if there are shortages of space, priority will be given to those who sang with the group last year.The Choral Society performs at least twice a year: a Christmas concert and a spring concert. The music varies from large choral works to smaller pieces within a specific theme. For example, the group combined with the Choeur du Departement de Musique de l'Université de Moncton performing Charpentier's Messe de Minuit with a chamber orchestra, as well as smaller works for double choir and brass choir. The following are among other works presented by the Choral Society: Gabriel Faure's Requiem and Messe Basse, Frostiana by Randall Thompson, Old American Songs by Aaron Copland, a set of works by Ben Allaway, Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, Chichester Psalms by Leonard Berntstein, Psalm 150 by Schutz, spirituals and excerpts from operas.

This fall the Choral Society will be singing John Rutter's Gloria and traditional carols in the university chapel on Novmember 26. In the spring of 2012, the group will perform Rutter's Te Deum with brass and organ, as well as music by Fanny Hensel & brother Felix Mendelssohn. This concert will take place on March 24.

Each year of Choral Society is a 1-credit course (MUSC 1669 - 4669) and credited participation is open to any student of the University. All Mount Allison students are required to register for the ensemble in order to participate. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings between 7:00 and 9:30 pm in the Choral Room (204) of the Marjorie Young Bell Conservatory of Music.The first rehearsal will be held on September 13 at 7:00 p.m..

Dr. Gayle h Martin
ghmartin@mta.ca
364-2692
Office: 226 Music Conservatory