Announcements
Rehearsals have begun
for
2023 Fall Concert
with
Professional Orchestra
Professional Soloist
performed in the magnificent
Irvine Memorial Chapel at
Mercersburg Academy
Weekly rehearsals begin 7:00 p.m., Tuesday,
September 19, 2023
For more information see Join Us and Chorus Members
or email merchorus@gmail.com
or call Richard Rotz 717-328-2324
You are welcome to come visit and rehearse with the chorus
for a week or two before making a commitment to join.
Please share this information with other singers who
may be interested in singing great choral music!
2023 Fall Concert Schedule
December 2, 2023 3:00 p.m.
December 3, 2023 3:00 p.m.
(See "Events" for more details.)
Poulenc: Gloria
Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Part 1)
Williams: All Hail the Power
Biebl: Ave Maria
Bradford: Angels We Have Heard
Seasonal Music & Carols
Soloist to be announced soon!
(Click here for more information about the soloists.)
History of the Chorus
The Chorus was established in the fall of 1975 with a performance of Handel's Messiah on Sunday, December 7. Since then the Chorus has become an important part of the regional music scene and performs a December series of 4 concerts and a spring series of 3 concerts each year. The Chorus became incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1980 and is governed by a six-member board of directors. In 1985 the Chorus established an endowment fund to give financial stability to the organization and help fund special projects.
The Chorus has commissioned four works: For You, O Democracy by Lee Hoiby in 1993, Magnificat by Thomas Beveridge in 1995, O Come Emmanuel by Daniel Gawthorpe in 2000, and No Coward Soul Is Mine by Ola Gjeilo in 2011.
Today great music remains the focus of the Chorus and is annually enjoyed by capacity audiences. Chorus members come from throughout the tri-state area and the common bond is the simple joy of singing. Many professions and backgrounds are represented and the Chorus currently includes teachers, homemakers, farmers, attorneys, nurse and business people. Rehearsals begin on Tuesday evenings about 10 weeks prior to each program. Professional soloists and orchestra members perform with the chorus and the size of the orchestra varies with the requirements of the music.