Holmes Community College

Concert Chorale

THE GROUP

The Holmes Concert Chorale strives to perform quality music from all periods and styles of music history, from early music to present day. This group sometimes travels across the nine-county district and beyond to perform at local community events, high schools, and churches.

The mission of Concert Chorale is:

? to develop healthy and effective techniques of singing

? to learn the fundamental elements of music and basic music notation

? to perform quality, respected, and distinctive choral literature, both a cappella and

accompanied, from all periods of music history

? to enhance and further the appreciation of the body of choral music

? to instill and encourage personal and group responsibility

? to exhibit group unity and campus involvement

? to present and promote the “world-class” image that is Holmes Community College

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Concert Chorale presents two major campus concerts each year—a traditional Carols of Christmas concert in December, and a high-energy Spring Pops Concert in late April or early May. This group also participates in an annual joint concert, which features all of our Music Department’s bands, choirs, and small ensembles, and occasionally spotlights our private lesson students and music faculty. During the spring semester of each year, Chorale performs at the State Community College & Junior College Choral Festival. When possible, Chorale also performs at district, community, and campus events upon request.

The Holmes Concert Chorale has been privileged to travel to and perform in several prestigious worldwide venues. In 1994, Chorale performed at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY. The group has also engaged in two goodwill European tours to Spain in 1996, and to England and France in 2000, including a performance at the revered Notre Dame Cathedral. In 2005, Chorale traveled to Hawaii, where they performed at various venues, including Pearl Harbor, and an exchange concert on the campus of Brigham Young University-Hawaii. Chorale has performed on several occasions with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and in March 2009, the group will perform in concert with the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, along with the state’s other community colleges.

Auditions & scholarships

Members of the Concert Chorale are selected by audition and are awarded a scholarship stipend for their disciplined commitment to rehearsal and performance. Scholarships can cover full tuition, room, and board, but amounts vary. Audition and scholarship information can be obtained by contacting Mr. Joel Hill, Director of Choral & Vocal Music, by phone, 662.472.9032, or via e-mail, jhill@holmescc.edu.