History of Excellence
Plymouth Chancel Choir has a tradition of excellence. Directors John Dexter, Dick Baber, Richard Morris, Carol Stewart, Janet Davis and now Sharon Parker-Lenihan have contributed to the ongoing legacy of Chancel Choir.
Plymouth Chancel Choir owns the distinction of four invitations to the Regional Conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). In 1984, the choir performed for the National Convention of the ACDA in Salt Lake City. Chancel was one of four American choirs selected in 1987 to inaugurate the first Festival of American Choral Music in Salzburg, Austria, and in July 1990, the Choir was one of nine choirs invited to participate in the International Choir Festival on Stord Island, Norway. During the summer of 1993, members of Chancel Choir sang at the Peterborough Cathedral Festival in England. In 1996, members of the choir made their second appearance in the Festival of American Choral Music in Salzburg, Austria, and in the summer of 1999, the choir sang in churches throughout Australia and the Fiji islands. In 2001, members of the Plymouth Chancel Choir joined the Des Moines Choral Society in performing Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms” on the stage of Carnegie Hall.
Through participating as the resident choir of the Plymouth Fine Arts Series, Chancel Choir has presented many major works, including:
- “Sacred Service” by Ernest Bloch
- “Missa Gaia” by Paul Winter
- “Gates of Justice” by Dave Brubeck
- “Requiem” by Andrew Lloyd Webber
- “Liverpool Oratorio” by Paul McCartney
- “Many Moods of Christmas” by Robert Shaw
- “Elijah” by Mendellsohn with Sherrill Milnes
The Chancel Choir has commissioned works from internationally known composers including Moses Hogan, John Leavitt, Ben Allaway, Alice Jordan, Nancy Grundahl, James Fritschel, and Ron Nelson.
CHANCEL CHOIR ACTIVITIES TODAY
- Sunday morning worship music leadership
- Resident choir for The Arts @ Plymouth
- Challenging repertoire of choral music by classical and contemporary composers including major works with professional orchestras
- Sponsors workshops with nationally and internationally known choirs and clinicians
- Commissions and debuts new choral works
- Offers local and regional retreats to learn new music and enjoy social activities
- Tours overseas periodically, performing in international festivals and sightseeing
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