Kellogg Community College’s Branch County Community Chorus is accepting new members for its upcoming 2019-20 concert season.
Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard, professor of vocal music and music area coordinator at KCC, who will be directing the BCCC for his 16th season this year, said the choir is committed to providing amateur singers “a stimulating opportunity to improve their musical skills while performing and having a great time with fellow music lovers.”
No audition is required to join the BCCC. Singers interested in joining can simply attend the first rehearsal at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 E. Chicago St. in Coldwater.
In addition to attending regular rehearsals from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays from September through May at St. Mark’s, the choir typically presents a holiday concert each fall in Coldwater and a spring concert each April in Battle Creek.
“Our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds including musical, social, religious and economic. However there is one thing that binds us all together, and that is our love for the choral arts,” Case-Blanchard said. “It has always been our mission to sing beautiful choral literature and to bring more beauty into the world.”
While there is no formal audition process required to join the BCCC, prospective choir members are asked to meet with the director for a vocal assessment prior to the start of the rehearsal process. This is merely a vocal placement assessment to insure that each singer is in the correct voicing.
Case-Blanchard said there are openings available in all voice parts, but there is a particular need for basses and tenors.
Individuals interested in joining the BCCC may do so for personal enrichment or academic credit. For more information about registering to join the BCCC, contact KCC’s Grahl Center campus in Coldwater at 517-278-3300.
For additional information and assistance, please contact the choir’s communication coordinator, Martha Watson, at aunthoot@gmail.com or visit www.kellogg.edu/branch. For more information about the group in general, contact Case-Blanchard at blanchardg@kellogg.edu.
Performing arts grants may be available to those who have participated in the choir for two consecutive semesters and who have met all requirements.
Upcoming BCCC Concert Schedule
- Event 1: Sounds of the Season 2019: “O Wondrous Joy & Christmas Magic”
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 E. Chicago St., Coldwater
Admission: Freewill donation
The Branch County Community Chorus Presents “O Wondrous Joy & Christmas Magic,” featuring the choirs of Kellogg Community College and special guest artists. This event is a fundraiser for the choir’s 2020 Canadian Concert Tour.
- Event 2: Singing in the Spring 2020: “A Musical Odyssey: Journey through the Ages”
3 p.m. Sunday, April 19
First Presbyterian Church, 111 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek
Admission: Freewill donation
Featuring the choirs of Kellogg Community College and special guest artists. This event is a fundraiser for the choir’s 2020 Canadian Concert Tour.
- Event 3: Night at the Davidson: A KCC Music Gala & Fundraising Event
7 p.m. Saturday, April 25
Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center, 450 North Ave., Battle Creek
Admission: Tickets required; available via the KCC Foundation at 269-965-4161
Featuring KCC music faculty, students, choirs and bands. This event is a fundraiser for the choir’s 2020 Canadian Concert Tour and other KCC Music initiatives, sponsored by the KCC Foundation.
- Event 4: Michigan/Canada Choir Tour
Sunday, May 17, through Saturday, May 23
Locations: Sturgis; Dundas, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Toronto, Ontario, Canada
About the Branch County Community Chorus
The Branch County Community Chorus, established in the fall of the 2001-02 academic year, is a “town and gown” ensemble that produces high-level concert performances. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to sing with the group. Under the leadership of Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard, who became BCCC director in 2004, the choir greatly expanded its repertoire to include not only the traditional classical repertoire (including works by Bach, Handel, Mozart and others), but jazz, show music, world music, spirituals, opera choruses and much more. During its 2006-07 concert season, the BCCC began a semi-annual choral touring program. The choir has since toured nationally and internationally, presenting concerts in the U.S. in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. In the summer of 2012, the BCCC embarked on its inaugural European concert tour, presenting concerts in Cork, Dublin and Malahide in Ireland. The choir returned to Europe in the summer of 2014, presenting concerts in towns and cities along the Amalfi Coast of Italy. In the summer of 2020, the choir will present concerts in Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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