Chorale directors to reunite for concert

Published 6:42 pm Monday, April 22, 2024

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As part of the Stanly County Chorale’s 55th anniversary concert, “A Musical Memoir,” several past directors of the Chorale will return to take the podium.

Previous directors will conduct some of their favorite pieces from past Chorale performances through the years. Guest directors include Martha Chapman, Steve Harrill, Angela C. Moore, Joseph D. Judge, Carmella Hedrick and the group’s most recent director, Aza Hudson.

Chapman and Harrill will each conduct a spiritual (“Ain’t Got Time to Die” and “I’m Gonna Sing ‘til the Spirit Moves in My Heart,” respectively) while Hudson will conduct a stirring arrangement of “America, the Beautiful.”

Judge will direct Tim Hedrick on clarinet and the Chorale in a singers’ favorite arrangement of the traditional Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts.”

Carmella Hedrick will direct “The Promise of Living, a piece from Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land.” This is also a piece the Chorale will sing on the Stanly County Concert Band’s performance. Aza Hudson will also lend her accompanying skills to this 4-hand piano accompaniment.

Rounding out musical styles is Angela Moore directing a mash-up of Broadway tunes from “Wicked,” “Urinetown” and “Hairspray.”

Lisa Ewers, the Chorale’s current director, will conduct other pieces of varying styles with a couple musical surprises for the audience.

Chorale concerts are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 27 in the Pfeiffer University Chapel and 3 p.m. April 28 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Albemarle.

If you want to catch the Chorale’s appearance with the Stanly County Concert Band, that is at 7 p.m. April 25 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.

All concerts for both groups are free and open to the public.