Greenwood Festival Chorale Seeks New Talent for Upcoming Season
Greenwood, SC – August 27, 2024 – 3:50 AM
The Greenwood Festival Chorale is looking for new singers to join its ranks as it gears up for another exciting season of music. The group will be holding vocal placement interviews at 7 p.m. tonight at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, located at 108 E. Cambridge Ave.
Steve Skinner, the artistic and musical director of the chorale, encourages both amateur and professional level singers to participate. “If you have a pulse and can match pitch—the two p’s, you can do this. 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,” Skinner commented.
The Greenwood Festival Chorale, which currently has about 50 members, rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary. Skinner emphasized the importance of these rehearsals, saying, “You must come to rehearsals. That’s a non-negotiable.”
With a range of music selections, from classics by Handel and contemporary works by Dan Forrest to folk songs and spirituals, the chorale attracts singers from several counties, including Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, and Edgefield. The group performs several concerts annually, including a Christmas concert scheduled for Dec. 10 and a series as part of the church’s cultural arts series, Festiva, in early spring. They also hold a concert of lighter music in late spring.
New members are welcome to schedule time slots for voice placement interviews online via the chorale’s website: gwdfestivalchorale.com or through this link.
According to Skinner, the chorale values teamwork and offers opportunities for everyone, from seasoned vocalists to complete beginners. “Teamwork is the thing I like best about chorale music,” he explained. “Second to that is the product. We have people from all walks of life, professional singers and musicians to the other end of the spectrum. Musical training is not required to do this. I am available to coach, and a lot of people take advantage of that, coming in to work through some things.”
Keith Martin, a 63-year-old bass singer from Honea Path, joined the chorale in September 2023. Martin, who works as a welder, participated in congregational singing in the Mennonite church as a child and sang at home with his siblings. “I don’t read a lot of music but with the chorale, it has been a thrill to succeed with challenging music,” he said. “We’ve sung pieces with a lot of life and I really enjoyed our Christmas concert last year. There are chorale members who read music well and they are very helpful. If you have an ear for music, you’ll be all right.”
For those considering joining but worried about their vocal range or experience, Skinner offers reassurance. “There’s a voice range for everybody,” he stated. “There are simple ways to expand your vocal range.”
If you’re a singer looking to find your voice with the Greenwood Festival Chorale, now is the time to step forward and schedule your vocal placement interview. The chorale’s diversity in music and inclusive spirit makes it a welcoming community for all aspiring vocalists.
For more information, interested individuals can contact the chorale directly at (864) 943-2518.
