Branch County Chorus seeking new members

The Daily Reporter
·2 min read

Who loves to sing? The Branch County Community Chorus of Kellogg Community College is accepting new members for the 2022-23 concert season. All voice parts — soprano, alto, tenor and bass — are needed.

“If you have a passion for singing and a willingness to learn, we have a place for you,” said Director Gerald Case-Blanchard.

The opportunity to check out the chorus is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Coldwater, during an open house prior to the first rehearsal of the season. Rehearsals are 6:30-9 p.m. every Tuesday, September through May at the church.

Singers joining the BCCC may do so for personal enrichment or academic credit. For registration information, contact the KCC Grahl Center campus in Coldwater. Call 517-278-3300 or email grahl@kellogg.edu.

Although no formal audition is required, prospective choir members will have a brief vocal assessment and interview with director Case-Blanchard, a professor of vocal music and area coordinator at KCC.

The registration and vocal placements are informal and low-pressure; anyone is welcome to join the BCCC regardless of musical background or experience, Case-Blanchard said.

The chorus will participate in a series of performances throughout the 2022-23 concert season, including:

  • “A Night at the Opera” with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 5, W.K. Kellogg Auditorium, 50 W. Van Buren St., Battle Creek. Tickets available at yourmusiccenter.org/symphony.

  • “Messiah”community wide sing-along: 3 p.m., Nov. 20, KCC Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center, 450 North Ave., Battle Creek.

  • “Sounds of the Season 2022: Traditional Carols & Messiah Choruses”: 7:30 p.m., Dec. 3, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 27 E. Chicago St., Coldwater.

  • “Singing in the Spring 2023: Make Our Garden Grow”: 3 p.m., April 23, First Presbyterian Church, 111 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, featuring KCC choirs, concert band, jazz band and organists Nancy D. Brown and Kathy Cary.

Performing arts grants may be available to those who have participated in the choir for two consecutive semesters and who have met all requirements.

For more information about the Branch County Community Chorus, contact Director Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard at case-blanchardg@kellogg.edu or visit kellogg.edu/bccc.

The Branch County Community Chorus began in 2001-02 with Deric Craig. Case-Blanchard became the director in 2004 and the choir expanded its repertoire to include the traditional classical repertoire and jazz, show music, opera choruses and more.

During the 2006-07 concert season, BCCC began a semi-annual choral, touring nationally and internationally, presenting concerts in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

In summer 2012, the BCCC embarked on an European concert tour, presenting concerts in Cork, Dublin and Malahide in Ireland. In 2014, the choir returned to Europe presenting concerts along the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: Branch County Community Chorus seeking new members