Since 1957, the Delaware Choral Society has brought the music of great composers to Dover and its surrounding communities. 

The spring concert of the Delaware Choral Society, American Sacred Treasures, was presented in honor of the 100th anniversary of People's Church of Dover on May 17, 2009.  It was also performed Avenue Methodist Church of Milford on May 14, 2009.  The concert opened with three stirring pieces by early American composer William Billings.  These were followed by four traditional spirituals.  "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" featured countertenor soloist Christopher Berg; alto Shelly Taylor was the soloist for "Deep River," and mezzo-soprano Kathleen Shelly sang the solo in "Wade in the Water."  The firsts half of the concert concluded with the lively "Soon Ah Will Be Done."

In lieu of an intermission, organist Kevin Chamberlain, the Society's accomplished rehearsal accompanist, played several very enjoyable pieces by American composers.  The second half of the concert was Melodious Accord: A Concert of Praise, as arranged by American composer Alice Parker.  This piece is based on American shape note hymns from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.  It was accompanied by a brass quartet and harp, and soloists included soprano Betsy Gray, alto Diana Farrell, tenor Bruce Lorenz and bass James Byrne.  After the uplifting strains of the final movement of Melodious Accord, the spiritual "Soon Ah Will Be Done" was reprised as an encore.  The large audience at People's Church were very appreciative of the concert celebrating the church's 100th anniversary.

The Delaware Choral Society at their Christmas Concert, Wesley United Methodist Church in Dover, December 7, 2008.  Accompanist Kevin Chamberlain and director Kevin W. Thomas are at far left.  Go to About Us to find out about more about Kevin the conductor and Kevin the keyboardist.

Members of the Delaware Choral Society, both new and old, will get together for refreshments, registration and listening to a CD of the concert music starting at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 209 S. State Street in Dover to begin preparations for the fall concert.

 We hope that you will plan to sing with us or to attend our Christmas concert of Bach's Christmas Oratorio at Wyoming Methodist Church, 107 Broad Street, Wyoming, Delaware, on December 6, 2009, at 3:00 p.m.  .  Feel free to call us at 302-422-7775 if you have any questions. Click here for ticket information.

We'd also like to invite you to share memories at a Delaware Choral Society History Blog hosted by Susan Vowels, a past president of the Delaware Choral Society.  She is in the planning stages of writing a book about the first fifty years of this Diamond State Gem - if you'd like to contribute, please go to www.dcsmemories.blogspot.com.

Here's to another 50 years! 

Share the special experience of singing outstanding choral works.  Enjoy a wonderful learning experience under the direction of Kevin W. Thomas, conductor.