Easton Choral Arts Society 

ECAS Artistic Director Report

Artistic Director Report - 25 May 2010

Ask not what your society can do for you, but rather what you can do for the Easton Choral Arts Society.

The 2009-2010 season was very successful from several vantages. In this day and age, the new “fantastic” is longevity. All around us, many businesses right in our community have not succeeded in keeping themselves on financially solid ground and subsequently are now gone from existence. Due to the intense efforts of some members of this organization, we have managed to close the books, remaining solvent after two large productions.  

The age old adage of 25% of a group doing 75% of the work rings true in our organization like any other. If we could just get a higher percentage of members all working toward the common goal, we could achieve even greater heights. I truly believe that attending every rehearsal to learn the notes is about 1/3 of your responsibilities to the chorus. The balance of your commitment is found in out-of-rehearsal practice, selling of program ads, selling tickets to friends and family and aid in the publicity process and serving on at LEAST one committee. In between season’s we should outwardly recruit new membership. Only then can we truly grow as a viable community organization.

 The two widely varied styles between Gilbert and Sullivan and the “pop” music of Walt Disney was accomplished. The audiences were sizable and expansive in age with some 80 children being present at the Disney concert. Operetta buffs enjoyed the comic Victorian humor of Gilbert and Sullivan with our small “Opera Comique” or “Savoy” style chamber ensemble and performed excerpts from 6 of the 14 operettas on which G & S collaborated between 1871-1896. Many solo opportunities were offered out of our chorus with a special appearance by our own resident Queen Victoria.

 The Walt Disney sponsored music was composed by various composers between 1938 and 2008. In this concert the age span of performers was between the ages of 7 and….well OLDER than 70. Pop rhythms and syncopations do not necessarily lie easily within the grasp of classical musicians, but we did our best to conquer them. Again, many new and emerging soloists from our own chorus were given the opportunity to make their desire to solo known, audition and perform.

 It is to my way of thinking that both choristers and audiences alike found the season to be most enjoyable. The group grew musically.

 It is and always has been my fondest desire that the Easton Choral Arts Society remain larger than any one of its participants. We must always strive to achieve what the Society’s stated goal and mission is: and that is to continue to bring the finest in as close to professional standard choral music to our community. It must remain vibrant, fresh and always considering new ideas and approaches.

 It was some 24 years ago that a contingent lead by Ginny Van Tine approached me following a particularly tumultuous season and asked me if I knew anyone who might be looking to take on the directorship of their wounded albeit healing chorus. I told her that in truth I did not know anyone other than myself that I could say for certain was interested. She laughed and stated that they just assumed that they could never “entice” me.  I told her to try and a new relationship was forged. Together in tandem with Eileen Diller Swift, Ron Baltimore, Ray Brokamp, Jeff Baer, Mike Rubin, Rick Osborne and most recently Becky Wroten, we have lead the Easton Choral Arts Society through 50+ concerts. As a side note, we have never had a more talented or gregarious accompanist than we do right now.

 New ideas and fresh approaches are the vitamins of a healthy constitution. And because the health of this organization is greater than the sum of ALL its parts, I would like the 2010-2011 concert season to be my 25^th and final year as Artistic Director of the Easton Choral Arts Society. I trust that this has been a mutually beneficial association – I know that it has for me. I wish only the very best for the chorus and I know the muses will bring you exactly the right person to take the helm of the ship.

 We still have two new and wonderful experiences for next year: Mendelssohn’s Saint Paul oratorio with orchestra on November 20-21 beginning rehearsals on September 14th, 2010 and the Music of Irving Berlin performed in cabaret style on April 3 -4, 2011. Onward and upward!