After two sold-out performances in December, Easton Choral Arts is inviting new singers to join the group for their April concerts “On Wings of Song” – a musical exploration of humanity’s longtime desire to take flight. Rehearsals begin again on Tuesday, January 13th at 6:30 in St. Mark’s Methodist Church on Peachblossom Road in Easton.

The first two Tuesday rehearsals are “open” – without obligation, to allow interested singers to attend, get to know the singers and staff and sing along with the group. For more information, visit the “Join Us” page on the ECAS website: EastonChoralArts.com. Tenors are particularly welcome.

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff – the program On Wings of Song invites you on a musical journey through the history, humor and hope of human flight. From the inventive brilliance of early aviators to the soaring freedom of the human spirit, it celebrates our timeless longing to rise.

This concert blends choral masterpieces, spirituals, jazz and contemporary choral pieces into a flight-inspired program like no other. Guided by a charming in-flight narrator and filled with moments of humor and heart, the program reminds us that when we sing together we rise together. And that through it all, it is music that gives us wings – lifting hearts, expanding horizons, and carrying us to places our feet can’t reach.

Tickets for the concert are already selling on the Easton Choral Arts website.

Easton Choral Arts (ECAS) will present “A Winter Rose” – a holiday concert blooming with beauty, tradition, and warmth. Centered around the symbolism of flowers and greenery in the winter season, this program offers a fresh array of holiday music from across the centuries. From the elegance of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” and Herbert Howells’ “A Spotless Rose” to the rich storytelling of “The Cherry Tree Carol” and the familiar warmth of ”Mistletoe and Holly”, this concert explores the natural world’s quiet persistence and stunning beauty during some of the coldest and darkest days of the year. 

Also featured are contemporary favorites like Sarah Quartel’s “On This Silent Night” and Dan Forrest’s stirring arrangement of “The Huron Carol”, alongside crowd-pleasers such as “White Christmas” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”. Accompanied by professional string players, stunning vocal soloists, rousing percussion, piano and a few moments of audience participation, A Winter Rose offers a nostalgic, joyful event and will be the perfect kick-off to the holiday season. 

As December approaches, visit the ECAS Facebook page and website for photos, song excerpts and videos to set the mood for your holiday season.

Easton Choral Arts’ Christmas Concert performances this season will take place in a new more spacious performance venue: 
St. Mark’s Methodist Church – 100 Peachblossom Road in Easton.
December 5th at 7:30 pm and December 6th at 4:00 pm

Read more and purchase tickets at:

https://www.eastonchoralarts.com/current-season 

Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS) is excited to present Dan Forrest’s “Creation” on April 25 and 27 at Christ Church Easton, featuring two Grammy-nominated professional vocal soloists: soprano Jessica Beebe and baritone Jim Williams, as well as Christopher Gage on organ. Tickets are on sale now at eastonchoralarts.com.

“Creation” is a new work by acclaimed American composer Dan Forrest. It was commissioned to honor the 225th anniversary of Haydn’s similarly titled masterpiece and was first performed in February of 2024. Easton Choral Arts is among the first choirs in the country to perform the work, which is destined to become a cornerstone of modern choral repertoire.

“Creation” truly is a celebration of the wonders and beauties of our world, drawing on ancient texts that reflect humanity’s awe of nature. Dan Forrest himself states, “I hope this work overwhelms its listener with the wonder and joy that still shines through in our world.” Even in early rehearsals, the choir and staff at ECAS are truly inspired by this music, thanks to the soaring vocals and the rich accompaniments. Singers describe the music as “joyful,” “surprising,” and “beautiful,” expressing an eagerness to share the music with their community. 

Adding to the performance is group of professional instrumentalists that truly bring the world’s creation to life, using imaginative orchestration to create interesting (and sometimes humorous) moments for the audience. Listen for the sounds of an elephant in the trombone, or the falling rain with percussion.

ECAS Director Alexis Ward states, “The music of Dan Forrest’s ‘Creation’ is absolutely stunning. Each movement feels like a journey, drawing listeners into a sonic world of awe and wonder. Forrest has an extraordinary ability to weave ancient texts with modern musical language, creating something timeless yet fresh. The percussion parts in particular add an incredible layer of texture and expression that is absolutely captivating. It’s a privilege to work with such a remarkable piece, and I can’t wait for our audience to experience its beauty and emotional depth.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Easton Choral Arts website at eastonchoralarts.com. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended, as this concert is expected to sell out.

Guest soloist Jim Williams’ career highlights include performing with the Washington National Opera both in the chorus and as a soloist, and performing with the Grammy-nominated Aeolians at Oakwood University, where he graduated with a degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy.

Guest soloist Jessica Beebe has performed all over the world, including solo operatic appearances with Opera Philadelphia, Bergen National Opera and Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition to serving on the voice faculty at Franklin and Marshall College, Jessica is a member of many professional chamber ensembles across the country, including the Grammy nominated The Crossing and Clarion Ensembles.

Organist Christopher Gage received his Doctorates in Organ Performance and Music Theory from the University of Kansas. He currently teaches music theory at the University of Delaware, where he directs the Collegium Musicum ensemble and serves as the faculty advisor for the Xi Mu chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

With December holiday concerts in its rear view mirror, the staff and singers of Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS) are ready to begin rehearsals for a spring performance of Creation – a new work by popular American composer Dan Forrest, commemorating the 225th anniversary of Haydn’s oratorio The Creation. 

As the Forrest work premiered in February of 2024, only a few choruses have thus far performed it. Easton Choral Arts is excited to bring this new work to the Eastern Shore.

The performance will be accompanied by two professional vocal soloists and a group of professional instrumentalists playing a wide variety of instruments. Of particular interest will be the three percussionists – each rotating between as many as 7 different instruments. In addition to the beautiful music, Creation will be a mesmerizing visual experience as well. 

ECAS Artistic Director Alexis Ward has this to say:

“The music of Dan Forrest’s Creation is absolutely stunning—lush harmonies, powerful orchestrations, and moments of both grandeur and intimacy. Each movement feels like a journey, drawing listeners into a sonic world of awe and wonder. Forrest has an extraordinary ability to weave ancient texts with modern musical language, creating something timeless yet fresh. The percussion parts in particular add an incredible layer of texture and expression that is absolutely captivating. It’s a privilege to work with such a remarkable piece, and I can’t wait for our audience to experience its beauty and emotional depth.”

The group’s first two rehearsals of the season, under Director Ward and Assistant Director/Accompanist Amy Morgan, are an open opportunity for new singers to meet the singers, participate in warm-ups, borrow copies of the music and explore several movements from Creation. Singers from Grade 8 through senior citizens are welcome.

ECAS is a warm and welcoming choral community that requires no formal auditions – just an interview with the director to determine the best voice part for each singer.

Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00, at Christ Church in Easton. The open rehearsals will be on January 14th and 21st. 

More information can be found on the ECAS website: eastonchoralarts.com, in particular on the “Join Us” page, or by emailing questions to the Membership chairperson – [email protected] 

Easton Choral Arts is proud to present ‘Gloria!’ a concert that radiates the joy and splendor of the Christmas season. At the heart of this program is Vivaldi’s iconic ‘Gloria,’ a timeless masterpiece that has warmed the hearts of countless audiences for centuries.

Paired with Vivaldi’s work will be a number of modern compositions and Christmas arrangements by some of our favorite living composers including Rosephanye Powell, Dan Forrest, James Mulholland, Ola Gjeilo, Andre Thomas, Rollo Dilworth, Elaine Hagenberg, and Reena Esmail.

 Musical styles on this program will span from classical and gospel to beloved traditional Christmas carols and rousing spirituals. The choir will be joined by professional vocal soloists and a live professional chamber orchestra, adding a dynamic and lush accompaniment to the performance. 

As ECAS ushers in the holiday season, the group invites the community to attend and enjoy music that encapsulates the splendor and majesty of the iconic phrase, ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo!’ 

Performances will be on Friday, December 6th at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, December 8th at 4:00 pm – both at Christ Church, 111 South Harrison St. in Easton, MD.

 Tickets are $25 for adults. Students from grade 1 through high school are admitted free but must be registered in advance on the ticket site.

ECAS December concerts often sell out in advance. Visit the website: eastonchoralarts.com  to purchase tickets, learn more and view videos of past performances.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Alexis Ward and Assistant Director Amy Morgan, The Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS) is excited to invite new members to share the joy of singing with ECAS, Easton’s largest and most vibrant community choir. A vital part of the Talbot County artistic community since 1977, the Easton Choral Arts Society welcomes all music enthusiasts who have a passion for singing and a desire to grow their vocal skills and musical knowledge. ECAS members participate in weekly rehearsals and annual concerts in December and April, which are a highlight of the ECAS experience.

At the heart of the upcoming fall program is Vivaldi’s iconic ‘Gloria,’ a timeless masterpiece that has warmed the hearts of countless audiences for centuries. Paired with Vivaldi’s work will be several modern compositions and Christmas arrangements by some of our favorite living composers including Rosephanye Powell, Dan Forrest, James Mulholland, Ola Gjeilo, Andre Thomas, Rollo Dilworth, Elaine Hagenberg, and Reena Esmail.

Musical styles on this program will span from classical and gospel to beloved traditional Christmas carols and rousing spirituals. The choir will be joined by professional vocal soloists and a live professional chamber orchestra, adding a dynamic and lush accompaniment to the performance. As we usher in the holiday season, we invite the community to join us for an evening of music that encapsulates the splendor and majesty of the iconic phrase, ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo! 

Potential choristers are invited to participate in 2 open rehearsals at 7 PM on August 27 and September 3 at Christ Church Easton to experience singing with the group and learning more about ECAS. Auditions are no longer required, and members do not need to know how to read music in order to join. Potential members will meet with the Artistic Director for a brief vocal placement session to ensure they are placed in the section that best suits their voice.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to new voices and faces,” says Alexis Ward, ECAS Artistic Director. “ECAS is more than just a group of singers; it’s a community where individuals from all walks of life come together to create something beautiful.” 

Interested participants can preregister by visiting www.eastonchoralarts.com on the “Sing With Us” page, or visiting the Easton Choral Arts page on Facebook. To ask questions or reserve a folder of music, email: [email protected] 

Open Rehearsals:

• Date: August 27 and September 3
• Time: 7 – 9 PM (registration begins at 6:30 to pick up music)
• Location: Christ Church, Easton. 111 S. Harrison St. (upstairs in the Parish Hall)

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The Mission of the Easton Choral Arts Society is to promote appreciation of fine choral singing, encourage excellence in vocal performance, further musical education and provide personal opportunities for artistic expression.

Our Vision is to contribute to the cultural life and richness of our community by providing a volunteer organization of singers that is diverse, inclusive and accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences who are committed to the challenge of choral music repertoire study and quality public performance.  ECAS offers a wonderful and joyful opportunity to those who have a desire to explore, renew or continue a shared experience of music, voice, and singing.