Warwick Chorale continues tradition of fine music

Warwick — The Warwick Valley Chorale, under the direction of Stanley Curtis, will begin its 67th season on Sept. 11 when it holds its first rehearsal. The Chorale is the oldest continually active singing group in Orange County. The group will prepare for its annual holiday concerts, held in December at the Warwick Reformed Church, as well as other venues in Orange County. The highlight of the concert will be a presentation of Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” along with holiday selections by a variety of ethnic and religious composers. The Chorale is a mixed chorus of men and women from the Warwick area and the Lower Hudson Valley. It has performed on many occasions at Carnegie Hall with elite choruses from around the United States. Most recently the Chorale appeared with the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Several singers have performed in Prague and Barcelona and in July 2006 sang at four venues in Sydney, Australia, including the fabulous Sydney Opera House. In May 2008, several individual chorale members will be performing at the opening of the Olympic Village in Beijing, China. Current membership stands at sixty members. As Chorale President Zoe Savale emphasized, “New members are always welcome, especially male voices, and auditions are not required.” Rehearsals are held at the Reformed Church on Maple Avenue in Warwick at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. New members need only walk in at the first rehearsal or call Savale at 986-1392.