The Delaware Choral Society was formed in Dover in 1957 by a group of church choirs desiring to perform Handel's Messiah. Originally Messiah was performed every December, but over the course of time, the group decided to branch out into other choral music of the great composers. Now works by composers from the Renaissance to the present, as well as renditions of spirituals and folk music, are performed in concerts held at least twice every year. The group celebrates its beginnings by performing Messiah every five years.
The Delaware Choral Society is a non-profit organization, open to every interested singer without audition.
OUR
STAFF Kevin Thomas, Music Director
Lyn Banghart, Rehearsal Accompanist Lyn Banghart has a B.S.
Degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a
major in flute and a minor in piano. While at "Putting heart
and soul into each rehearsal and performance, Judy energetically
communicates
firm but gentle instructions to bring out the
beauty of the music. She teaches how to animate and lift the text,
to express its character and integrity; to be accurate but not sing
“note, note, note” (as she bobs her head up and down to illustrate);
to refine the sound through tone
quality; and to cultivate and interpret the intent of the composer.
Among other techniques, she sings each part from first soprano to bass
to actively let the section hear the progression and tone of the written
music.
Above all else, Judy sets the tone of our time
together by saying “Let’s have FUN” as she pushes the thresholds and
challenges each member. Always there is a broad smile even
when she knows there needs to be improvement, and she shows her concern
with kindness and wit. And, like a caring and loving mother, she
is gracious and pleased for the hard work in presenting the best of
classical choral works to the central Delaware region.
BRAVA!! Our dear Judy. The very best of
good wishes."
Our best, too, to
Georgiana Ibach, member of the Delaware Choral
Society since 1997, who became our rehearsal and concert accompanist in
spring of 2004, and took us through all of our 50th anniversary
celebrations throughout the 2006-2007 season.
She had substituted for Mr. W. Nolan Hearn,
the accompanist for the Delaware Choral Society from spring of 1991
until his death in December of 2003.
The Choral Society wishes to express
appreciation not only her fine musicianship but also her warm and caring
personality. We will miss her, and are pleased that she has been a
part of the music preparation and performance for the Delaware Choral
Society. As always, the Delaware Choral Society remembers our beloved long-time rehearsal and concert accompanist, W. Nolan Hearn, and deeply mourn his passing in 2003. SUPPORT THE DELAWARE CHORAL SOCIETY The Delaware Choral Society is a non-profit organization dependent on member dues, ticket sales, patron contributions, program ads and other fund-raising activities to support it. We are very grateful to the Delaware Division of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts for support in the form of an operating grant; however, this grant covers only a portion of our operating budget and is meant to be supplemental. Please contact us if you would like to become a patron, place a program ad, or become a corporate sponsor. Your financial support is greatly appreciated. Information can be obtained by calling (302) 422-7775 or by writing to us at info@delawarechoralsociety.org.
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Kevin
Thomas began his undergraduate studies in music education at West
Chester University of Pennsylvania and received his Bachelor of Arts
degree in vocal performance from the 
Judith Moore
led the Choral Society for 19 years, from 1988 to 2007, the year of our
50th anniversary. She has the distinction of being our conductor
for the most years and that of conducting our year-long gala celebration
from fall of 2006 to spring of 2007. It is difficult to express in
words how much she has meant to us, and always will. Below is an
excerpt from her dedication in our Gala Program.