Announcements
2024 Spring Concert Schedule
April 13, 2024 3:00 p.m.
April 14, 2024 3:00 p.m.
(See "Events" for more details.)
Handel: Zadok the Priest
Handel: Let the Bright Seraphim
Bach: Selections from Cantata No. 80
Copland: The Promise of Living
Hogan: Battle of Jericho
Bernstein: Overture and Glitter and Gay from Candide
Rotz: Shall We Gather at the River
Rutter: Battle Hymn of the Republic
Featuring the following soloist:
Olivia Prendergast - Soprano
(Click here for more information about the soloist.)
Location:
Irvine Memorial Chapel
Mercersburg Academy
100 Academy Drive, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania 17236
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.