History and Accomplishments of The Greeley Chorale
The Greeley Chorale originated in 1964 as a community chorus under the musical direction of Dr. Howard Skinner. In 1970, the organization merged with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dr. Skinner. Recognizing the need for an independent community choir, reorganization again took place and Mr. Harold Hamler was appointed musical director in 1974. The name was changed back to The Greeley Chorale.
Dr. Michael Jothen became musical director in 1978. Under Dr. Jothen, the Chorale expanded its concert repertoire, presenting concerts outside Greeley and bringing international exposure to Colorado in 1985 with a tour of Germany, the Netherlands, England and Wales. In the fall of 1985, Dr. Robert Molison became the fifth conductor of The Greeley Chorale.
Dr. Carl Gerbrandt assumed musical leadership in 1987. During the summer of 1988, the Chorale was honored with an invitation from the governments of both the United States and Australia to sing at the opening Fourth of July ceremony at the World's Fair in Brisbane, Australia. This provided the focus for a concert tour of Australia and New Zealand.
In December, 1988, the Chorale sponsored Greeley's first Messiah Sing-Along, and in March 1989 performed Verdi's Requiem with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and UNC Concert Choir. In 1993, the Chorale was invited by the UNC Dance Company to join them for a fully choreographed production of Carmina Burana.
As part of its Silver Anniversary year in 1989, the Chorale presented Greeley's first English Madrigal "Feaste", a tradition which became one of Northern Colorado's most popular holiday events. After 17 years of productions, the Madrigal was discontinued in 2006 in favor of a more traditional holiday concert. Public enthusiasm for the Madrigal Feaste continues, however, and the Chorale has received many requests to revive this tradition.
In 1990 under the auspices of the Greeley Chorale Board of Directors, the Greeley Children's Chorale was formed. This group provides a unique singing opportunity for children of the area. Additionally, the Chorale has repeatedly hosted the choirs of Weld County high schools in community choral festivals.
The summer of 1992 found the Chorale in Europe, selected as one of only three choirs to perform in the Vienna International Choral Festival. Other concerts and activities took them to Prague, Budapest, Nuremberg, Montreux, and Strasbourg.
The Chorale initiated an annual vocal solo competition for high school seniors in 1994, providing music scholarships for highly talented singers from Northeastern Colorado. The 1995 season was launched with a concert featuring guest artists Almeda and Jackson Berkey of Mannheim Steamroller. A commissioned choral work by Mr. Berkey was also premiered.
Scotland and England were the focus of the Chorale's concert tour during the summer of 1996. After singing the inaugural concert for the renovation of the Chapel Royale in Stirling Castle in Scotland, the group moved on to engagements in Cambridge, Oxford, and London. The Oxford concert was in the world renowned Sheldonian Theatre, and Carl Gerbrandt became the first guest conductor of the newly organized Oxford Academy Orchestra. Mozart's Requiem was presented to a standing room-only audience.
In 1997, Handel's Messiah was presented in a worldwide project as a benefit to Hospice International. The performance was televised live through Denver media.
Perhaps the most profound experience in the Chorale's history came in 1998, with the presentation of Dean Rishel's Requiem for the Children, a full-length work written in memory of the children who perished in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing tragedy. This work was presented in Greeley and Denver, and in Oklahoma City with the composer in attendance. Many Chorale members have identified this experience as their fondest moment with the group.
The summer of 2001 the Chorale was atop the Great Wall of China, with concerts in Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou. Memorable were the filled concert halls of enthusiastic music lovers enjoying the full gamut of music from Mozart to Oh, Susanna! The highlight of this tour was undoubtedly the presentation of Mozart's Requiem, accompanied by the Beijing Ballet Orchestra.
2003 saw the release of the Chorale's first professionally produced CD, a holiday collection titled "Sounds of the Season", with first year sales far exceeding expectations and projections. Through the years, the Chorale has also been active in commissioning new works from composers Jean Berger, James McCray, Evan Copley, Jackson Berkey, Stephen Caldwell, Michael Jothen, and Dale Grotenhuis.
During June 2005, the Chorale traveled to Italy for a series of concerts and Masses in Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Florence, and Venice. In addition to singing Mozart's Requiem in San Ignazio Cathedral with the Mozart Sinfonietta of Rome, the Chorale sang a High Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and also presented a concert before the convention of Cori sull'Aventino Festival in Rome. The tour was a great success with capacity audiences in every venue. Following this tour, Dr. Gerbrandt retired after 18 years as Music Director and Conductor.
During the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, Dr. James Kim became Music Director and Conductor. A gifted conductor and musician, Dr. Kim brought to the Chorale his expertise in major choral repertoire with works such as Mendelssohn's Elijah and Rossini's Stabat Mater. Dr. Kim stepped down in May, 2007 to pursue opportunities in the Ft. Collins arts community. After a subsequent search and interview process, Dr. Gerbrandt was invited to rejoin the Chorale as its new Music Director and Conductor in August, 2007. Dr. Gerbrandt retired again after the Greeley Chorale returned from Greece at the close of the 44th concert season.
Commencing with the 2009-2010 concert season, Dr. Galen Darrough became the Music Director and Conductor. At the University of Northern Colorado, he is the conductor of the 65-voice Concert Choir and 50-voice Men's Glee Club, and teaches graduate choral music. Click here for a detailed biography.
The Greeley Chorale is currently a group of 94 auditioned singers, some of whom travel great distances to sing with this unique group. Its repertoire ranges from the traditional major choral works of the great composers to the spirituals, folksongs, and Broadway music of America. Through its support of local arts events, church and school choirs, its local concert schedule, and its international touring schedule, The Greeley Chorale is proud to be an integral part of the Greeley community, striving to enrich the cultural life of Northern Colorado.
The Greeley Chorale. Everyday People. Amazing Music.
