Welcome to Season 41!

How do we begin to recount the last 8 months of whirlwind activity, memories and pride?  We were so very busy, that some of the group met themselves coming back as were going out! Truthfully, if you didn’t know who we were two seasons ago, we are now firmly placed again in Rochester’s cultural center. It’s a lovely place to be. And all of our efforts have been noted. For the second year in a row, Granite State Choral Society was awarded the Rochester Arts and Culture Commission Achievement in the Arts, Music Category, for our work on the original cantata “Rochester” that premiered in March after two years of prep work. No small accomplishment for which we are over the moon with happiness. There couldn’t have been a better capstone to fully conclude our 40^th Anniversary Season than that.

Summer was taken at a bit more leisurely pace this year now that all the Gala events were put to bed, but we were far from idle.  New board members, new goals, the yard sale, a surprise donation challenge and a music workshop have kept members busy and engaged with each other and the public. But one of our more notable items is that GSCS welcomed Dan Roihl as our permanent Music Director. Dan is a breath of fresh air and truly re-energized the chorus with his very vibrant conducting style. His feeling that choral groups foster community aligns with the GSCS mission to be a part of the community through choral singing and performance. We’d encourage any interested singer to come meet Dan; if he doesn’t ignite your musical passion we don’t know what will.

This 2015-2016 season will see GSCS trying some new approaches in our choral performances as well as the return of our small vocal ensemble. We’d like to encourage younger singers to join us as well as non-singers who are looking to partner their love of the Arts with a local organization that can always use volunteers or financial support. As always, GSCS will be out and about with activities designed to help us meet you while we work on fundraising. Be sure to check out our website and Facebook page for dates and times of our Bake Sale and Newsom Peanut Sales. Or consider supporting our Matching Donation Fundraising Campaign. But definitely don’t miss our combined Chill Fest and Craft Fair at the Community Center on November 14^th.  We look forward to meeting you and letting us tell you more about GSCS.

Our fall concerts entitled, “Wondrous Love”, will be on November 21 and 22 at the First Church Congregational in Rochester. Show your love by bringing a canned good to the concert and help fill their food pantry in anticipation of the Holiday Season. We can’t wait to share our music with you again.

So, until then, let the music inside of you sound out strong!

Elizabeth Tonkins-Agea

President, Granite State Choral Society