N. Berkshire Chorale tunes in to community

By Linda CarmanPrint Story | Email Story
Judith Reichert directs the chorale Monday during rehearsal. (Submitted Photo)
WILLIAMSTOWN — The four-year-old Northern Berkshire Chorale will present a concert of sacred music by composers spanning four centuries on Saturday, Jan. 22, in a program its director described as increasingly ambitious. “In a way, yes, we are doing some complicated things,” said Director Judith Reichert before the group’s rehearsal Monday, as it prepared for the concert to be held at Williams College’s Thompson Memorial Chapel at 8 p.m. For instance, the group will sing polyphonic settings of Hebrew psalms, in Hebrew, by Italian-Jewish violinist and composer Salamone Rossi (1570-1630), who worked at the Gonzaga court in Mantua, Italy. Besides Rossi’s innovative collection of Hebrew motets for the synagogue in Mantua, he also wrote madrigals and instrumental works. According to the program notes, Rossi experimented with new musical forms, such as producing the first trio sonatas in the literature and composing the only extant collection of polyphonic music for the synagogue. Reichert selects the pieces, taking into account the suggestions of chorus members. The concert, “Good News! Choral Music Through the Ages,” will include sacred music from the 15th through the 20th centuries, beginning with the second Marian motet by Josquin Despres (1450–1521), the Flemish composer regarded as the greatest of his age. His motet is set to a medieval poem commemorating events in the life of the Virgin May. The program includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Missa Brevis,” composed when he was only 18, followed by compositions by Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré, Randall Thompson — the Alleluia written for the opening of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood — and spirituals by William Levi Dawson. Dawson was one of the first composers to draw on the American spiritual as a source for choral works. In 1931, he organized the Tuskegee School of Music and directed the Tuskegee Choir to international prominence. “The group is a challenging but wonderful mixture of some very accomplished musicians and those with very little training but who love to sing,” Reichert said. “They are open to new music, and they like to be challenged. Their enjoyment is a source of great satisfaction to me. It’s a wonderful group to work with.” The 56–member group, 24 of whom also belong to the chamber group, gives two concerts, in January and May. Saturday’s program is all sacred songs; the May selections will be all secular. “I try to choose good, beautiful music that will go together appropriately,” Reichert said. Soloists will be as follows: for the Missa Brevis in F Major, Karen Swann, soprano; Linda Patterson, alto; Matt Allen, tenor, and Tom Anderson, bass; and in one of the spirituals, Christine Enderle. The group organized four years ago, spearheaded by John Howland, after the Williams Choral Society decided to restrict its membership to students. Mary Jo Carpenter was, she said, one of “those who then found themselves with no place to sing.” Some, but not all, trekked up to Bennington, Vt. to sing with a group there. “When this group was formed, it was a welcome opportunity to do what I’ve done almost all my life, which is to sing with a group,” Carpenter said. “It’s a very compatible group, and the music is excellent, with the choice of a wide variety of music. “I just find it extremely satisfying,” she added. “And no matter how tired I am [coming into rehearsal], after I’ve worked very hard singing, I’m tired, but it’s very satisfying.” Sherry Wobus, who had likewise sung with the Williams group, agreed. “People were excited to get back into it,” Wobus said. “It’s a wonderful way to get to know people in the community with a common interest and love of music ... It’s just a really wonderful group of people who have fun together and work hard together.” Reichert said the group welcomes new members, “especially if they’re good tenors.” Auditions are Jan. 27; appointments may be made by calling Michelle Picard in the office of the Williams College music department, 597–2127.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
 
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center. 
 
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents. 
 
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager. 
 
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
 
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
 
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event. 
 
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