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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. For an overview of all of our
concerts, click on Our History.
The Delaware Choral Society is a
non-profit organization, open to every interested singer without
audition.
OUR
STAFF
Kevin Thomas, Music Director
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 College of Charleston in South
Carolina. Mr. Thomas pursued
graduate studies in choral conducting at the University of South
Carolina, and subsequently trained under both Robert Paige and Rodney
Eichenberger. He also
studied voice at the Oberlin College and Conservatory’s Baroque
Performance Institute with the celebrated Dutch bass-baritone, Max Van
Egmond. He has sung
with the chamber ensemble Capriole
in Williamsburg, Virginia, as well as the
Virginia Chorale in Norfolk, Virginia. He
made his professional debut as a countertenor singing Bernstein’s
Chichester Psalms with the Virginia Symphony.
After college, Mr. Thomas served as Assistant Music Director at Grace
Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and performed as a
soloist throughout the southeastern United States.
He returned to Delmarva, the area of his childhood home, in 2002.
Currently, he is Director of Music at St. Luke's United Methodist
Church in St. Michaels, Maryland.
He has served as Artistic Director of the
Tidewater Chamber Singers (formerly
Bach to the Future) based in Easton, Maryland, and as Music Director of the
Delaware Choral Society, based in Dover, Delaware.
He maintains an active voice studio in Talbot County, Maryland where he
resides.
Kevin B. Chamberlain, Accompanist
Kevin B. Chamberlain recently graduated from
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas with his
Master of Music degree in Church Music and Organ Performance.
Prior to going to Texas, Kevin received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Music with an emphasis in Church Music and Organ from Asbury College in
Wilmore, Kentucky. Mr. Chamberlain has served numerous churches as
organist in Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas as organist and
accompanist. Most recently has served as Director of Worship Arts
and Organist at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Seaford, Delaware,
and he is currently serving as Minister of Music and Organist at Avenue
United Methodist Church in Milford, Delaware. He is an active
member of The American Guild of Organists and The Fellowship of United
Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. He also maintains a small
studio of piano students.
WE REMEMBER
We take this opportunity to remember our long-time
conductor, Judith Moore,
who continues to support the Delaware Choral Society, and never misses a
concert! We love you, Judy! Click on Judy's name above to
read our tribute. Our dear accompanist Georgiana Ibach is not
forgotten either!
As always, the Delaware Choral Society remembers our beloved
long-time rehearsal and concert accompanist,
W. Nolan Hearn,
and deeply mourns his passing in 2003.
SUPPORT THE DELAWARE CHORAL SOCIETY
The Delaware Choral Society is a non-profit organization
under 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, 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
delawarechoralsociety@yahoo.com.
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