Kellogg Community College’s Branch County Community Chorus (BCCC) is accepting new members for the 2016-17 concert season and is hosting two open houses for individuals interested in joining the choir this fall.
Two Chorus Open House events for choir members and individuals interested in joining the choir will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 E. Chicago St., Coldwater.
While there is no formal audition process required to join the BCCC, prospective choir members must register for the ensemble by signing up for MUSI C104 or MUSI 104 online at www.kellogg.edu or in person at KCC’s Grahl Center, 125 Seeley St., Coldwater. Prospective choir members must also sit for a brief vocal assessment and interview with Dr. Gerald Blanchard, vocal music director and music coordinator at KCC.
Blanchard said anyone interested in singing – with or without previous choral experience – is welcome to join the BCCC family.
“The 20-plus member BCCC ensemble is made up of community members and students from Branch, Calhoun and St. Joseph counties, all coming together for the sole purpose of performing choral works from various periods and genres,” Blanchard said. “Members have a variety of musical backgrounds, which range from having very little formal musical training to having advanced degrees in music.”
For the upcoming concert season, Blanchard said all vocal parts are needed for the chorus, but the group is especially in need of the lower voices of basses and tenors.
“Come lend your talents to this fine group of dedicated community singers,” Blanchard said. “There is a place for you in the Branch County Community Chorus!”
The choir generally performs two major concerts in Battle Creek and two major concerts Coldwater each season. The choir’s 2016-17 season – the BCCC’s 15th and Blanchard’s 12th as the choir’s director – will include performances of works by a wide variety of composers crossing many genres, from classical to world music.
This year’s concert schedule includes the following performances:
Sounds of the Season 2016: ’Twas the Night Before Christmas
7:30 p.m. Dec. 3
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
27 E. Chicago St., Coldwater
A Celebration of Women Composers in Music
3 p.m. March 5
Binda Performing Arts Center
450 North Ave., Battle Creek
O Magnificent Joy! Choral Arts Celebration
3 p.m. April 30
First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek
111 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek
Branch County Community Chorus 15th Anniversary Concert Celebration: We Are the Music Makers
3 p.m. May 7
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
27 E. Chicago St., Coldwater
For more information about registering to join the BCCC, contact KCC’s Grahl Center at 517-278-3300. For more information about the group in general or to inquire about financial assistance to cover registration costs, contact Blanchard at blanchardg@kellogg.edu.
About the Branch County Community Chorus
The Branch County Community Chorus, established in 2001, is the community arm of choral programming at Kellogg Community College. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to sing with the group. The College offers three residential choir opportunities in addition to the BCCC, including the Concentus Vocal Ensemble; the Kellogg Singers; and the Choral Union Touring Choir, which includes members from across the other KCC choirs and has traveled domestically and internationally throughout the United States, Ireland and Italy. The vocal arts area at KCC also offers a yearly opera workshop, individualized voice lessons, master classes and student recitals. For more information, visit www.kellogg.edu/music or call 269-965-3931 ext. 2566.
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