Sippican Choral Society

The Sippican Choral Society begins the 2015 – 2016 season with its first rehearsal on Monday, September 14 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in Reynard Hall, located at 27 Church Street. New members are welcome to join the chorus simply by coming to the one of the first three rehearsals, September 14, 21, and 28.

Rehearsals begin promptly at 7:30 pm every Monday evening, but singers are asked to arrive by 7:15 pm for their first rehearsal in order to register and receive music. Membership is $35 per semester. All voices are welcome (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass), and no auditions are required. As always, everyone who has sung with the chorus in past years will be welcomed back. This year, the chorus is especially inviting back anyone who has sung with it at any time over the last 50 years.

Under the direction of its new Music Director, Dr. Tianxu Zhou, the chorus will be rehearsing for its 50th annual Christmas Concerts, which it will present on Friday evening, December 4, at Grace Episcopal Church in New Bedford, and at Tabor Academy’s Wickenden Chapel in Marion on Sunday afternoon, December 6.

These concerts will feature the chorus’s most popular Christmas music over the past half century, beginning with Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” with orchestra accompaniment. Other music will include “O Holy Night” arranged by John Rutter, “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, “Still, Still, Still” arranged by Norman Luboff, the hauntingly beautiful “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Christina Rosetti, and “Prayer of the Children” arranged by Andrea S. Klouse.

The chorus once again will be joined by the Southcoast Children’s Chorus under the direction of Leslie Piper, which will perform several pieces. Both choruses will then perform three pieces together: the popular “Hope for Resolution” by Caldwell and Ivory, “Carol Him Sweetly” by Ruth Elaine Schram, and “Do you Hear What I Hear” by Harry Simeone.

The concert will conclude with John Rutter’s wonderful benediction, “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” which concluded many of the chorus’s Christmas concerts under the direction of Peter West in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s.

Now beginning its 51st season, the 90-member Sippican Choral Society is under the direction of Dr. Tianxu Zhou, with Michelle Gordon as accompanist. The group performs at least two concerts every year, singing the works of the world’s great composers, as well as popular music. No auditions are necessary to sing in the chorus.

For further information about singing with the Sippican Choral Society this year, please call Peter McDonald (508-748-0286). If you plan to sing this season, but cannot make the first rehearsal, please let Peter know.

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