Community Comes Together for Vocal Placement Interviews

Community Comes Together for Vocal Placement Interviews

Greenwood, SC – August 28, 2024

The Greenwood Festival Chorale is inviting amateur and professional singers to participate in vocal placement interviews. They are scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 27 at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood. This opportunity is open to both seasoned vocalists and beginners who are passionate about singing.

Steve Skinner, the chorale’s artistic and musical director, is enthusiastic about welcoming a diverse range of singers. “If you have a pulse and can match pitch — the two p’s, you can do this,” said Skinner. “If you can learn, we’re golden. Music reading is a skill that can be learned and taught. We can learn and teach along the way, as we sing.”

The chorale practices from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, located at 108 E. Cambridge Ave. Attendance at rehearsals is mandatory. “You must come to rehearsals,” Skinner emphasized. “That’s a non-negotiable.”

The chorale boasts a collection of singers from Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, and Edgefield counties, ranging from high school students to senior citizens. The group’s repertoire includes classics by composers like Handel, contemporary choral works by Dan Forrest, folk songs, and spirituals.

Skinner, who holds degrees in music education and church music, says the chorale will be busy throughout the year. Their performances include a Christmas concert, slated for December 10, a concert in early spring as part of the First Presbyterian’s cultural arts series, Festiva, and another concert featuring lighter music in late spring.

Among the vocalists is Keith Martin, a 63-year-old bass singer from Honea Path. Martin, who joined the chorale in September 2023, works as a welder. He shared that his musical background includes singing in church and with his family at home on Sunday evenings. “I don’t read a lot of music, but with the chorale, it has been a thrill to succeed with challenging music,” Martin said. “We’ve sung pieces with a lot of life and I really enjoyed our Christmas concert last year. The chorale members who read music well are very helpful. If you have an ear for music, you’ll be all right.”

Currently, the chorale has about 50 members, but Skinner is looking to expand that number. Interested singers of all ranges are welcome to arrange voice placement interviews through the chorale’s website. Voice placements are set for August 27, starting at 7 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood.

“There’s a voice range for everybody,” Skinner noted. “There are simple ways to expand your vocal range.”

If you’re interested in finding your voice and joining the chorale, you can sign up for an interview at the following link: https://shorturl.at/i0fYW.

For additional information, you can reach Donaghy at 864-943-2518 or sdonaghy@indexjournal.com.

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