Choruses have begun! Register now for fall season of Purple Finches, Songweavers and Canterbury Singers!
The Music School's choral ensembles have started the fall semester! Purple Finches, Songweavers (& Songweaver Drummers), and Canterbury Singers are all welcoming new and continuing members. To register, call 603-228-1196, or click here for more info. If you've missed a session or two, that's OK -- we'll happily prorate the tuition for the chance to see and hear you sing!
The Purple Finches Youth Chorus has scheduled an 8-week session, with remote sessions via Zoom. This semester, there will be one one group of singers (grades 4 and up), with high school students assisting as mentors. Rehearsals are Mondays at 6:00pm. Purple Finches director Maria Isaak has planned an exciting first project, a virtual video concert of "The Sound of Silence."
Songweavers Women's Chorus & Songweavers Drummers are picking up where their successful spring season left off, with remote rehearsals, Zoom breakout rooms for chats and sectionals, and help from official Songweaver Tech Goddesses to ensure that all members are able to participate fully. Songweavers director Peggo Horstmann Hodes is exploring the possible use of in-person "driveway choir" rehearsals, using -- interestingly enough -- new equipment to support synchronized singing with old-fashioned AM radio technology! Info & schedule here.
Canterbury Singers, a mixed-voice chorus for teens and adults, features authentic Shaker music along with arrangements of American folk songs, music of early America, and inspired arrangements by a variety of composers. Director Kathryn Southworth is conducting Zoom rehearsals this fall, working toward a virtual concert with our Canterbury Shaker Village partners.
Each choral director is making the most of COVID-time with new activities that expand learning beyond a typical choral rehearsal, since sound delay and varying internet speeds are a challenge. The Northern Lights Women's Vocal Ensemble has even been using the Music School's parking lot as a classroom, with proper distancing and health precautions in place. It's a joy for singers to be able to see and hear each other in person!
Our musical family's safety remains our No. 1 priority. The Music School is following all CDC and State of NH official guidelines, and we have also adopted the guidelines developed by the researchers at Johns Hopkins for our colleagues at Peabody Preparatory, which detail requirements for choral and instrumental ensembles, singers, and a variety of instruments. Thanks for staying safe and healthy while making music!
