Choral society sets audtiions for its 40th season

The Granite State Choral Society performs at the Rochester Commons during a concert this summer. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rehearsals for Granite State Choral Society will begin on Sept. 14 at the First Church Congregational, 63 South Main St., from 4–6:30 p.m. Registration begins at 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 14 and ends on Sept. 28. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 13 and 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Rochester at 34 South. Main Street.  Rehearsals are on Sunday afternoons from 4-6:30 p.m. in the chapel at First Church Congregational in Rochester.

All registered members, new and returning, will have the opportunity to audition for one of four vocal soloists, one for each voice part, on Sept. 21, with callbacks on Sept. 28. All interested singers will need to have paid their dues to be considered and if not chosen they will sing with the chorus. Interested singers should prepare 16-20 bars of an aria of their choice from Handel's Messiah that best showcases their range and abilities.  Those wishing to audition should indicate on the registration form, online or mailed, their intention to try out so we will know how best to set up the audition schedule.

GSCS looks forward to beginning their 40th Anniversary Season of sharing music with local communities and beyond. Forty years ago Granite State Choral Society, then known as the Rochester Community Chorus, presented its first concert of Handel's Messiah under the direction of Syliva Dowst.  This was the culmination of a desire by the Rev. Frank Gulinello to again see and hear a community chorus in Rochester. The last time a known choral society was registered in the Lilac City was the Rochester Oratorio Society, of which little is known except its last performance in 1907 of The Creation nearly 70 years previous.

In the four decades since that rebirth, GSCS continues to enjoy performing in collaborations with fantastic instrumentalists and other choral groups from the Seacoast area to showcase timeless music.

The Granite State Choral Society is a nonauditioned community chorus dedicated to presenting quality choral performances, ranging in styles from classical to secular, and promoting the appreciation of the choral arts. The members come from all walks of life, from age 12 on up, and range from experienced singers to novices just discovering the joys of choral singing.

Knowledge of how to read music is not a requirement, but may be helpful. For more information about joining the chorus, please email Donna at gschoral@gmail.com, call 207-457-1576, or visit our website, www.gschoralsociety.org.