Civic Chorale Sets Fall Schedule, Welcomes New Voices

For several years, the Illinois State University Civic Chorale has numbered about 70 to 80 members, a mix of students, faculty-staff and singers from in and around Bloomington-Normal.  This year, in conjunction with a grant to help fund off-campus performances, Chorale conductor Karyl Carlson hopes to bump up the number of voices.

"One of the Civic Chorale members - Distinguished Professor Emeritus Ed Hines - and I wrote and received a community outreach best-practices grant through the College Music Society, called 'Live Through Music'," Carlson said.  "The grant will fund several off-campus performances in December, so people in the community who are unable to come to campus will be able to hear a Civic Chorale performance. 

"At the same time, I thought it was time to increase the number of our singers," she added.  "There are former Civic Chorale members who I hope will consider coming back to sing with the group.  There also are people new to Bloomington-Normal who might have sung in a choir in high school or college or in their previous community, and they are invited to join the Chorale."  

Singers of all skill-levels (high school age and up) are invited to attend the first Civic Chorale rehearsal, at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, during which there will be a brief voice placement/sight-reading session.  All rehearsals take place at 7 p.m. Mondays in room 212 in Cook Hall (the castle) on the west side of the ISU quad.  There is a $20 fee for all Civic Chorale members to assist with music costs.  Questions can be directed to Carlson at 438-2012 or at kkcarlson@ilstu.edu

The Civic Chorale is one of the most long-standing community ensembles, serving as a vital liaison between the university and community.  This fall's repertoire includes Igor Stravinsky's "Symphonie of Psalms," and Maurice Duruflé's "Requiem," which will be performed with the ISU Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.  The Civic Chorale also will participate in the annual Music for the Holidays concerts on Dec. 7.