Printer Friendly Version - Choral Club Kicks Off New Season, Welcomes New Members

The Choral Club of Clinton (shown here conducted by Michael S. Carnaroli in 2010) begins rehearsal for its 2016 season on Tuesday, March 1, at 6:45 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 12 Commerce Street, Clinton.

Yellow warblers aren’t due back until April to pull us out of the winter doldrums, but that doesn’t mean the weeks in between won’t be filled with the sound of music.

On Tuesday, March 1, the Choral Club of Clinton kicks off its 90th season with an open registration and its first rehearsal of 2016.

The non-auditioned group of 30 to 50 voices was originally formed as a church choir in 1926 by United Methodist Church choir director Seward F. Hull, Sr. The group has put on a concert every year since its inception, except during World War II.

“The Choral Club of Clinton is one of the oldest—if not the oldest—choral groups in the state,” said the group’s longtime president, Gail Carlisle of Clinton. “Our common interest is the love of singing and the desire to bring the sound of music to the audience. We gather on Tuesday nights from March until June not only for the love of singing but also for fellowship.”

Carlisle says the group’s members range from high school freshmen to choristers in their 90s. Though they meet in Clinton, members hail from all points along the shore. One member, she said, has made the weekly trek from Stamford.

Accompanist for the musical ensemble is Joyce Baxter, organist and choir director for the First Church of Christ in Clinton, who also teaches piano.

“This year, we welcome back our choral director, Jeremy Milton, for his third season,” said Carlisle.

“Jeremy has selected a repertoire of diverse music from classical works, gospel, jazz, and Broadway this season,” Carlisle said. “One of the highlights will be his concert choir singing with the Choral Club for sections of Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G Major, plus the midsection will include the group on their own.”

For his part, Milton said he enjoys being the Choral Club’s music director “because of our love of working with and welcoming people of all ages and musical abilities. I always take special care to select repertoire that is as diverse as the voices that make up the choir, and this year is no exception. No matter if you are a teenager, a senior, or anywhere in between, there is a place for you here.”

The Choral Club of Clinton will hold its registration and first rehearsal of the season on Tuesday, March 1, at 6:45 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 12 Commerce Street, Clinton. Rehearsals are every Tuesday from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. Membership dues are $50 and include registration and music. High school students participate for free.