When Williams College decided to limit its choral society to students, local singers missed their music-making.
And when Dr. John Howland, a Williamstown psychiatrist, moved back to town from Connecticut, he spearheaded a move to organize a community-based replacement.
Now the newly formed Northern Berkshire Chorale, a mixed adult chorus, will hold its first concert next Friday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Chapel on the Williams College campus.
The chorale, under the leadership of Music Director Judith Reichert, will perform works by Mozart, Brahms, Hindemith and Randall Thompson.
“In the olden days, the college choral society accepted townies,†said Howland. “But when the college decided to limit it to students, some were sore dismayed.â€
“A lot of people around here with some background and interest in choral music thought it might be a good idea to form a chorus, because the nearest is in Bennington,†he said.
Howland credits the college with providing much help to the fledgling group.
They have provided space, use of the library, musical help, as has the Bennington Choral Society, and some administrative support, from the music department secretary, some advice, and also some money,†he said.
The chorale has about 50 members, and drew 65 for its first auditions. Its singers travel from as far away as Plainfield and Alford, as well as North Berkshire and neighboring New York State.
Reichert is pleased with the response.
“I had no idea that so many people would be interested,†said Reichert. It was a real eye-opener.â€
“I’ve always been interested in choral directing,†she said. “I trained for it at Smith, and done it throughout my life. I love to work with a group, especially a group as talented and able as this one.â€
“A lot of members now were members of the Williams choral society previously,†she said. “A great many people were disheartened when the choral society stopped allowing non-students. That was the impetus behind the formation of this group. John Howland was the one who perceived how strong and interest there was in choral music. He was the brains and energy behind it.â€
Reichert said for the chorale’s first concert, “I chose things I thought were beautiful and singable, that would appeal to people who have musical training, but not be so difficult it would be hard for both singers and audience. Some of the things we’re doing, the Brahms “Liebeslieder Waltzes,†for example, were much harder than I would’ve anticipated. As a singer, I’ve sung in German, and in French, but I underestimated the difficulty of singing in foreign languages for people who are not used to it. It’s a pretty challenging program. Hindemith is in French.
“For our May concert, the program will be American composers, so the program will all be in English. That program will range from early Billings to Copland, and include Samuel Barber, Stephen Foster and spirituals. That will probably be pretty accessible, both to singers and audience.â€
One chorale member, Deborah Burns, called the chorale “a wonderful opportunity.†We haven’t had a community chorus in many years. We’re doing really glorious music in a beautiful setting. We all feel very excited about the concert and really happy to be continuing after that.
“But it’s not the concerts, it’s really the fabulous experience of singing glorious music together. The amazing thing is I actually look forward to Mondays.â€
Rehearsals are Mondays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Thompson Chapel. Auditions for new prospective members will be Jan. 25, a Thursday, in the evening. Those wishing to audition are asked to call Michelle Picard, secretary of the Williams College Music Department at 597-2127, to reserve a 10-minute appointment. Interested singers are invited to bring a piece of music to sing. The spring concert will be May 17.
Another member, Mary Jo Carpenter, said she always considered it a privilege to sing with the Williams choral society, and recognizes the college prerogative of restricting its membership to students.
But, said Carpenter, “I was just delighted when Judy Reichert and John Howland decided to inaugurate this. It is a tremendous undertaking, a great commitment of time and energy, for the director and the advisory group. They do it for the love of it, as do those of us who sing. It is very rewarding.â€
“Our first rehearsal was the first Monday night after Sept. 11,†Carpenter recalled.
“I, like many others, wondered if I even wanted to go, but it was very cathartic,†she said.
“We did a piece by Randall Thompson, “Something Like a Star,†from a Robert Frost poem. It just seemed so appropriate. For me, it was extremely helpful, being reminded once again how important music is, to me at least, and being grateful for that opportunity.
“We are blessed in this town with a great many opportunities to go to performances,†said Carpenter. “This is part of the mix.â€
Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted.
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
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