Chorus seeks new singers in return from COVID-19 breakDate: 8/31/2022 SOUTHAMPTON – For more than three decades, the Voices of the Valley Community Chorus has entertained the region with songs.
Previously known as the Southampton Community Chorus, the group has expanded over the years and includes members from Montgomery, Easthampton, Northampton, Southampton, Westfield and Holyoke.
“We encourage anyone to join throughout the Pioneer Valley and Hilltown communities,” said member JoAnn Orluck.
The chorus is seeking new members for its upcoming season and will host its first rehearsal on Sept. 7, said director Kathy Marks. The group took a COVID-19 hiatus in 2020 but is back and hoping to increase its membership.
“We stopped singing in person in March 2020, and at the time had 45 members,” said Marks. “Two years later, we are at around 25 members, but we are still actively singing and enjoying music together! I feel fortunate that we were able to put together some virtual programs and met often on Zoom until we could safely return to in-person singing.”
Under the direction of Marks since 2005, the Voices of the Valley Community Chorus spans not only numerous communities, but also various ages.
“Our oldest member is 80 years young and our youngest member is 14 years old,” noted Orluck. Marks added that she hopes to restart the Children’s Chorus, which was also suspended during the pandemic.
Marks selects the music sung by the group, although Orluck said members of the chorus “have wonderful suggestions for program themes and songs that they share regularly.”
Voices of the Valley Community Chorus performs two concert series a year, which are open to the public.
“We have a donation for admission, but no one is turned away,” Orluck said. “We sing in spring, usually the first or second week of May, and a holiday concert the second week of December. The concerts for the general public are on Sundays, and we also do a Saturday outreach program for a senior living community or some other venue.”
The not-for-profit chorus is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and more recently by the Southampton and Easthampton cultural councils.
The 2022-23 season concerts are Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. at the Easthampton Congregational Church, and May 7 at 4 p.m., also at the Easthampton Congregational Church.
Anyone interested in joining should email questions to voicesofthevalleycc@gmail.com, or call Tim at 977-2736. There are no auditions to join.
“We believe that everyone has a voice to sing and can join voices with us, no matter what your talent or experience level is,” said Orluck. “Singing is good for our mental, physical and emotional health. Come join us, give us a try and meet new friends.”
|
