Easton Choral Arts Society presents “A Merry Rutter Christmas” on Thursday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 5 at 4 p.m. on the stage at Christ Church Easton and also simulcast over YouTube.

“Easton Choral Arts will begin its 44th season in person, with our annual Christmas concert featuring some new choral gems, as well as numerous time-treasured songs, all by the ever-popular composer and arranger John Rutter,” comments Wes Lockfaw, Artistic Director of Easton Choral Arts Society.

“Rutter’s Christmas pieces can be beautifully reflective as in “What Sweeter Music,” as well as lively and rhythmic as in “Shepherds’ Pipe Carol,” or majestic and soul-stirring, as in “Joy to the World.”  The concert will also include some whimsical secular pieces as well.”

This year’s concerts will be hybrid – presented both live and simultaneously broadcast from the concert venue over our YouTube channel for those who cannot or do not wish to attend in person. The crew of Mid South Audio, who produced Easton Choral Arts Society’s spring 2021 “Bridge to Beyond” concert will be at Christ Church to broadcast live on Easton Choral Arts Society’s YouTube channel. Donations are appreciated to cover the technical costs of the broadcasts.

Tickets for both in-person and streamed virtual concerts are on sale at eastonchoralarts.org. Those who purchase in-person tickets may exchange for virtual links up to six hours before each concert if circumstances change. Students through 12th grade are admitted for free but must register ahead of time. The concert is not appropriate for pre-school children. Tickets cost $25.

The Board of Directors of Easton Choral Arts Society has established a COVID-19 Safety Policy to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for its singers, staff, and audiences. Everyone who wishes to enter the venue must first show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

After the Christmas concerts, Easton Choral Arts Society will again audition new singers for the spring concert in May, which is currently in the planning stages. If you’re interested in joining, visit eastonchoralarts.org.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is an auditioned choral ensemble that believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences, and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

On Tuesday, September 7, the Easton Choral Arts Society will resume regular rehearsals and invites area singers who are interested in participating to contact the organization by visiting eastonchoralarts.org.

Over the past year, Easton Choral Arts adjusted to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic as it presented two concerts featuring both archived materials from past seasons, and also a studio-produced spring concert titled “Bridge to Beyond” through virtual media.  Continuing with a theme of hope and anticipation, the chorus will embark upon its 44^th season which will begin, in person, with its annual Christmas concert that will feature some new choral gems as well as numerous time-treasured tunes including “Fum, Fum, Fum,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and others.  Concerts will take place on December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and December 5 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton.  Dates for a spring concert are also set for April 28 at 7:30 p.m. and May 1 at 4 p.m.

According to its Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, the organization has learned a great deal about how technology can benefit the organization, and this year its leadership has taken steps to present virtual options for patrons who are unable to attend live events or who have not yet resumed in-person concerts.

Regular rehearsals with Easton Choral Arts take place at 7 p.m. beginning with the Tuesday following Labor Day and continuing each Tuesday evening throughout the season.  Singers interested in participating in Easton Choral Arts should contact the organization as soon as possible so arrangements may be made.  For more information, visit EastonChoralArts.org. ECAS has taken every precaution to protect its singers and audiences. The organization’s COVID-19 policy can be seen on EastonChoralArts.org. Support is provided by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is an auditioned choral ensemble that believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences, and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

Easton Choral Arts Society’s Third Annual High School Choral Competition took place in the Talbot County Auditorium at Easton High School on February 29. Since the results of the Competition took a backseat to pandemic news around the world, the organization recently announced the winners of that Choral Competition.

Taking First Place, with a prize of $2500, was the Tower Hill School’s Vocal Ensemble out of Wilmington, DE. This highly accomplished group, directed by Zerrin Martin, performed “La, la, la, je ne l’ose dire” (French Folk Song, “La, la, la, Do not dare I say it”) arranged by the  Renaissance composer Pierre Certon, followed by “Four Slovak Folk Songs” by 20th Century composer Bela Bartok. Tower Hill’s final selection was Undine S. Moore’s arrangement of the traditional spiritual “Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord”.

Second Place, with a prize of $1500, was awarded to Severn School’s Treble Choir from Anne Arundel County, directed by Rob Redei, The all-female ensemble opened with J. Leavitt’s arrangement of the Renaissance composer Pierre Passereau’s “Il est bel et bon,” (“He is handsome and fine”). This was followed by a J. Hairston arrangement of the 20^th-century composer Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Linden Lea”. The Treble Choir ended their impressive performance with the composition “Bloody Men” by the contemporary composer Matthew Harris.

The judges awarded Third Place of $1,000 to another of Mr. Redei’s groups, the Severn School Vocal Ensemble. “Abendlied” (Evening Song), composed in the mid-nineteenth century by Josef Rheinberger was their opening selection. “Deep River”, arranged by Moses Hogan in the 20th century followed, and they closed their performance with the contemporary “Acrostic Song” by composer David Del Tredici, considered a pioneer of the Neo-Romantic movement.

Other vocal ensembles that qualified for the competition and performed on February 29 were: Bowie High School’s Chamber Choir under the direction of Angelica Brooks (Prince George’s County); Old Mill High School’s Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Angela Adams (Anne Arundel County); Oxon Hill High School’s Concert Choir under the direction of Rafealito Ross (Prince George’s County); Notre Dame Prep’s Chamber Choir under the direction of Stacey Bilenki (Towson, MD); Liberty High School’s Madrigals under the direction of Michael Rainbow (Carroll County) and Queen Anne’s County High School Concert Choir under the direction of Kimberly Kalicky. You are invited to enjoy the recorded performances on the Easton Choral Arts web-site: https://www.eastonchoralarts.org/high-school-choral

Judging this year’s competition were: Dr. William M. Folger of Salisbury University, Dr. Richard J. Giarusso of the Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. James Wilson of Wesley College, Dover.

Easton Choral Arts recognizes the valued contributions of the following donors: Bob and Cris Doughty (competition underwriters for the third time), Nicolas and Marcia Fidis, Donna Barker, Richard and Barbara Doughty, Deborah Newnam Kudner, Phil and Sarah Sayre, the Watson-Stone Family Foundation, John and Trish Malin, Carol Harrison, Lee Thomas, Lynne Gradisar, Ruth Heltne, Martha Horner, Connie Lindeman, Shirley and Stanley Martin, Ellen Rajacich, Helen and Ed Theiler, Becky Zinser, Ken and Elizabeth Bush, David and Ronya Driscoll, James and Sheila Scott, Edmond and Melody Stabler. Grant contributions from the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, the Talbot County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council also contributed to this event’s funding. ECAS is most appreciative of these generous supporters.

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Easton Choral Arts Society is hosting its annual fund-raiser, “A High Note Event,” on March 19, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Talbot Country Club in Easton. The evening will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and a silent auction. Diners will have a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian dinners, and wine is included with the dinner. A cash bar will be available, and entertainme

nt will be provided by Julie Mack Quartet. There will be a Chance Auction for about 10 items and a Silent Auction, including a meal for eight people prepared by a chef trained in Paris and England and a night for two with breakfast at the Bartlett Pear Inn.

According to Phil Sayre, co-president of Easton Choral Arts Society, “Over the years Easton Choral Arts has had the good fortune of financial support from many generous patrons. That support makes possible the high-quality choral performances with brilliant soloists and wonderful orchestral accompaniments for which ECAS is known. The High Note Gala is our major fund-raiser of the year, and we deeply appreciate those who come for a fun evening and donate toward continuing the Easton Choral Arts tradition of great choral music.”

Sponsors are being sought for the gala. Interested persons should call 410-200-0498. Support is provided by Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council. Tickets for the fundraiser cost $150 per person and can be purchased online or by calling 410-200-0498.

 

The Easton Choral Arts Society, celebrating its 42nd anniversary, is an auditioned choral ensemble which believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

 

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Easton Choral Arts Society is hosting its annual fund-raiser, “A High Note Event,” on March 19, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Talbot Country Club in Easton.  The evening will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and a silent auction. Diners will have a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian dinners, and wine is included with the dinner. A cash bar will be available, and entertainment will be provided by Julie Mack Quartet. There will be a Chance Auction for about 10 items and a Silent Auction, including a meal for eight people prepared by a chef trained in Paris and England and a night for two with breakfast at the Bartlett Pear Inn.

According to Phil Sayre, co-president of Easton Choral Arts Society, “Over the years Easton Choral Arts has had the good fortune of financial support from many generous patrons.  That support makes possible the high-quality choral performances with brilliant soloists and wonderful orchestral accompaniments for which ECAS is known. The High Note Gala is our major fund-raiser of the year, and we deeply appreciate those who come for a fun evening and donate toward continuing the Easton Choral Arts tradition of great choral music.”

Sponsors are being sought for the gala. Interested persons should call 410-200-0498. Support is provided by Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council. Tickets for the fundraiser cost $150 per person and can be purchased online at www.eastonchoralarts.org or by calling 410-200-0498.

The Easton Choral Arts Society, celebrating its 42nd anniversary, is an auditioned choral ensemble which believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

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If you have a desire to sing, to grow musically, to learn new techniques and compositions, to share your voice in a community of enthusiastic singers, and to enjoy the thrill of performing, consider becoming a part of Easton Choral Arts!

Comprised of members from throughout the region, the choral society performs music ranging from classical compositions to works by living composers.

Beginning in January, the chorus will be working on compositions by four of the greatest composers of all time. Tracing the footsteps of Vienna’s world-renowned musical heritage, the spring concert will feature music from “The Four Gems of Vienna,” Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert, all of whom did most of their work in Vienna. Rehearsals resume in January and are held Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton.

Connecting with Easton Choral Arts is very simple.  Auditions are scheduled by appointment and are straight forward and uncomplicated.  For more information, interested singers are invited to visit our website at EastonChoralArts.org or email us at [email protected]. Easton Choral Arts is supported by the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, The Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

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