Greenwood Prepares for Vocal Placement Interviews for Festival Chorale
Greenwood, August 24, 2024 — Music enthusiasts in Greenwood and surrounding areas are in for an exciting opportunity as the Greenwood Festival Chorale gears up for vocal placement interviews. Scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. on August 27, these interviews will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, located at 108 E. Cambridge Ave.
The Festival Chorale is open to both amateur and professional singers who have a passion for music and a desire to perform. The choir is known for its diverse range of music, including classics by Handel, contemporary choral works by Dan Forrest, folk songs, spirituals, and more. The chorale’s artistic and musical director, Steve Skinner, who has a background in music education and church music, is excited about welcoming new voices.
“If you have a pulse and can match pitch — the two p’s, you can do this,” Skinner said. “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 also boasts a diverse membership, attracting singers from various counties including Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, and Edgefield. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and community, Skinner emphasizes the importance of rehearsals.
“You must come to rehearsals,” Skinner noted. “That’s a non-negotiable.” Rehearsals are conducted from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood.
The Festival Chorale is already looking forward to several concerts it will host throughout the year. These include the highly anticipated Christmas concert on December 10, a concert in early spring as part of the church’s cultural arts series, Festiva, and a concert of lighter music in late spring. Male singers are required to wear tuxedos while female singers wear all black for performances.
One of the chorale members, Keith Martin, 63, from Honea Path, shared his experience of being a part of the group. A welder by trade, Martin joined the chorale in September 2023 and sings bass. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I don’t read a lot of music but with the chorale, it has been a thrill to succeed with challenging music. 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.”
With around 50 members currently, Skinner aims to grow the number of singers. The chorale encourages singers of all vocal ranges – low, medium, and high – to participate. Interested individuals can schedule their vocal placement interviews online via the chorale’s website: gwdfestivalchorale.com or directly through this link: https://shorturl.at/i0fYW. These voice placement sessions will commence from 7 p.m. on August 27 at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood.
Skinner remains optimistic about the future of the chorale. “There’s a voice range for everybody,” he said. “There are simple ways to expand your vocal range. Teamwork is the thing I like best about chorale music. 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.”
This event provides a golden opportunity for individuals who are passionate about singing to find their voice and be a part of a dedicated musical community. Join the Greenwood Festival Chorale and let your musical journey begin.
