The Hillsdale Arts Chorale has announced that it will delay season 48 due to COVID-19. The late fall and Christmas concerts have been canceled for 2020. If case numbers continue to improve, the Board of Directors are hoping the Chorale can return to the stage in Spring 2021.
 
“Speaking for myself, as well as the entire Board of Directors, I acknowledge significant sadness at this news, however, we feel that it is the only thing we can do to ensure the health and safety of all artists and concert attendees at this time,” said conductor Colleen Chester. “Our intention is to wait, continue to listen to experts and health officials, and reevaluate our calendar whenever the COVID landscape provides more clarity.”
 
Along with the canceled concerts, Chorale members will not gather for weekly in-person rehearsals, but plan to get involved in a more digital way, especially for its supporters.
 
“We have had several meetings over the past few weeks, and we are looking to engage with our audience via our Facebook page and YouTube,” said Stephanie Gordon, Marketing Director. “It’s important to deliver music during this time for our supporters, even if it’s in front of a computer.”
 
If you are a season ticket holder, spring 2020 tickets will be accepted at 2021 concerts.
 
“For our 2019/2020 season ticket holders, you only received 50% of what you paid for,” said Executive Director Greg Bailey. “Rest assured, we want to honor your financial commitment by honoring your remaining concert tickets for two of 2021’s concerts.”
 
The Hillsdale Arts Chorale will continue to keep the community updated when it continues to learn more.
 
“Continue to have HOPE,” said Chester. “Continue to stay positive, healthy, and take precautions. We will come out on the other side of this and, when we do, I truly believe that choral music will be more beautiful and impactful than ever before.”
 
For any questions, contact [email protected] or you can learn more by visiting www.hillsdaleartschorale.com.
 
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ABOUT THE HILLSDALE ARTS CHORALE: The Hillsdale Arts Chorale was established by Howard J. Rizner in 1973 in Hillsdale, Michigan. Rizner understood the limitations imposed by Hillsdale's size and remoteness but refused to let those conditions force a compromise of musical quality. The key to the group's success then, and now, is maintaining high standards of exceptional choral music. For nearly a half century, the Hillsdale community has enjoyed a remarkable choral group whose mission is presenting some of the most enduring works of classical music and finest choral settings of beloved religious songs, folk melodies, and popular standards.

Our current Conductor is moving! We are looking for someone to lead our choir for a minimum of three years. Interested? Check out the document attached. You can reach us at [email protected]. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: STEPHANIE GORDON – [email protected]
 
THE HILLSDALE ARTS CHORALE CANCELS THE REMAINDER OF SEASON 47 AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
 
The Hillsdale Arts Chorale has canceled the remainder of season 47 due to the recent coronavirus pandemic.  It is of the utmost importance to protect choir members and concert attendees.
 
“We are sad to announce that we have made the difficult decision to cancel this season’s remaining concert and rehearsals,” said Conductor, Clelyn Chapin. “As an organization that cares deeply for its singers and audience members, our priority is ensuring the health and safety of all.”
 
The final concert of the season, Apps & Acapella, was scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020.
 
“This ordeal has been an important reminder of the role that community relationships play in our lives, and we are ready to pick up where we left off even stronger,” said Chapin.
 
The board of the Chorale, however, remains active in planning for the future. The Chorale looks forward to providing a place of human to human connection in the coming months as it becomes safe to convene again. Season ticket holders will be able to redeem the March and May concert tickets during season 48.
 
“We are extremely disappointed, on several levels, that we are unable to complete our concert season due to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Greg Bailey, Executive Director. “For our season ticket holders, you only received 50% of what you paid for.  Rest assured, we want to honor your financial commitment by honoring your remaining concert tickets for two of next year’s concerts.  For our singers, we missed out on 50% of the fellowship and camaraderie of our Monday-night rehearsals.  For many of us, this is our escape from the frantic pace of daily life.  We, most assuredly, look forward to all of us being together again once everything returns to “normal”.”
 
For any questions, contact [email protected] or you can learn more by visiting www.hillsdaleartschorale.com.
 
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ABOUT THE HILLSDALE ARTS CHORALE: The Hillsdale Arts Chorale was established by Howard J. Rizner in 1973 in Hillsdale, Michigan. Rizner understood the limitations imposed by Hillsdale's size and remoteness but refused to let those conditions force a compromise of musical quality. The key to the group's success then, and now, is maintaining high standards of exceptional choral music. For nearly a half century, the Hillsdale community has enjoyed a remarkable choral group whose mission is presenting some of the most enduring works of classical music and finest choral settings of beloved religious songs, folk melodies, and popular standards.

We are excited to announce that we will honor former Chorale co-founder and conductor, Howard Rizner, at our March 9, 2019, performance of Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living. This will be an inaugural performance of the Rizner Concert Series. Rizner co-founded the Hillsdale Arts Chorale in 1973, and served as conductor until 2008. His legacy includes not only the Hillsdale Arts Chorale, but also generations of students whom he impacted through his service in public education. In the spirit of recognizing both his gifts as a community member and teacher, we will invite high school musicians to join us in performing this stunning work.

This concert will be a labor of love, but will also require financial support to make it happen. After compiling a list of needs for this concert, we are predicting the cost of this concert will be near $4,000. The concert needs are are follows... director's score, rehearsal tracks, instrumental parts rental, 60 copies, instrumentalists, flute, oboe, horn, percussion, harp, violin, cello, and organist. 

If you feel compelled to donate to help make this concert happen, please click the Rizner donation form button below. Simply print the form and send your donation to P.O. Box 215, Jonesville, MI 49250. We greatly appreciate your generosity. Along with your donation, you and/or business will be listed as a sponsor in our March concert program.

Thank you for continuing to support the Hillsdale Arts Chorale!

The Hillsdale Arts Chorale continues its 45th season with Love, Loss, and Renewal, on Saturday, March 3, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsdale at 7 PM.
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“We are really looking forward to showcasing some awesome music for this concert,” said Conductor, Clelyn Chapin. “In fact, it’s some of the most beautiful material we have performed this year.”

These three topics - love, loss, and renewal, have inspired centuries worth of music. Brahms, Whitacre, and Billy Joel will be performed to highlight these topics.

“The program will feature the cycles of love - from the first moments of exhilaration and butterflies to the sadder parts, like breakups,” said Chapin. “The music will also focus on finding peace in ourselves and renewal through that whole process. Imagery of nature - breakdown and renewal – of the seasons will also be highlighted.”

Two violinists from Michigan State University will perform with the choir for several tunes. Some arias will also be performed by Cindy Merrit and Ben Judson.

Tickets are $10 at the door. Under 18 are free with an adult. A light reception will follow the concert.

The Arts Chorale closes season 45 on Saturday, May 5, with Jazz and Java. That concert will also be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – in the gymnasium – at 7 PM.

For more information regarding the Hillsdale Arts Chorale, please visit www.hillsdaleartschorale.com.

Susan Mills of Jonesville joined the Hillsdale Arts Chorale in 2012. On Friday, May 12, 2017, Susan passed away. The Hillsdale Arts Chorale is pleased to honor Susan at their upcoming concert by performing Haydn's Little Organ Mass.

"We are extremely grateful for the memorial contributions that have underwritten the cost of this special music," said Executive Director, Greg Bailey. "It doesn't take long for The Hillsdale Arts Chorale to become a 'second family' for the singers, and so it is fitting to honor a family member who has been lost by sharing the gift of music."

Susan graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1959 where she was a proud member of Howard Rizner Hillsdale High School Choir. She received her bachelor's in education fro​m Michigan State University in 1978 and she taught elementary school for many years, later retiring as a first grade teacher.

"The choir is really looking forward to our concert honoring Susan Mills," said Clelyn Chapin, Chorale Conductor. "She was a friend to many and a big supporter of the ensemble, so we wanted to do something that would appropriately reflect the contributions she made. We hope to bring joy to our audience, and especially to Susan's loved ones."

Top notch musicians are coming in to perform Haydn's Little Organ Mass, and will feature Cindy Merritt on the soprano solo. The rest of the performance will include holiday favorites and even some pop numbers. 

The Chorale's second concert of the season, Cocoa & Carols, will take place on Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 7 PM at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church - 2551 West Bacon Road in Hillsdale. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 per person. Children under 18 are free with an adult.

On Saturday, November 4, 2017, the Chorale opened its 45th season at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with new Conductor, Clelyn Chapin. Journeys featured traditional and contemporary classics. Soloists shared their own stories through popular songs and folk melodies. 

The program was broken into four different segments; imagining, preparing, traveling, and arrival. "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal" opened the concert with solos by Don Sanderson and Heather Scharer. Imagining also featured "The Pasture" and "Esta Tierra". 

Preparing featured "If I got My Ticket Can I ride", with soloist Adam DeBacker, "Follow the Drunken Gourd" with soloists Heather Scharer and Anne Schmitt. "Walk in Jerusalem" was performed followed by a reading by Ned Wyse of Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. "The Vagabond" was performed by Adam DeBacker, and Cindy Merritt performed "Poor Wandering One". Preparing ended with "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" with solos by Laura Leutheuser, Anne Schmitt, and Chloe Tritchka-Stutchell.

Traveling featured "The Boy Who Picked Up His Feet to Fly" by Joshua Shank followed Ian DeBacker's reading his very own poem, Moonboy. "That Lonesome Road" was performed, followed by "The Road Home" with soloist Ellie Tucker. Brietta Allen, Heather Scharer, and Makayla Eppel closed Traveling with "Long Time Trav'ler".

Arrival opened with a traditional African Folk Song, "Ndiyende Njirayi". Michael Blanchard performed "Traveler/Country Roads". "Unclouded Day" was performed with soloist Chloe Tritchka-Stuchell. "Let the River Run" ended the program.

The Chorale performs their anticipated Christmas program, Cocoa & Carols, December 16, 2017, at 7 PM, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church - 2551 W. Bacon Rd. in Hillsdale. Tickets are $10 at the door. Under 18 free with an adult. Season tickets are still available for $30 or $25 ages 60+.

Clelyn Brown of Broomfield, Colorado, and a new Michigan State University doctoral candidate, has been named the new Conductor for the Hillsdale Arts Chorale.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Clelyn to the community as the new Conductor of the Hillsdale Arts Chorale,” said Executive Director, Greg Bailey. “Our previous experience of hiring a university doctoral student went very well, and we are certain that Clelyn will continue that trend.  Her enthusiasm, love of chorale music, and extensive knowledge of vocal technique are exactly the characteristics that we were looking for in our search.”

Brown, who has nine years of conducting experience, will begin conducting for the Arts Chorale this coming season.

“I am excited to start my collaboration with the Hillsdale Arts Chorale. There's a long-standing expectation of excellence that's especially impressive for an ensemble in a small community, so I feel lucky to work these singers while I pursue my PhD at Michigan State University,” said Brown. “I expect that we will continue along the same path of musical quality while tapping into the hopes and abilities of what individual singers can contribute to the group both musically and from an organizational perspective.”

Brown believes her skill set is suited to continue the traditions of the Arts Chorale in a manner that honors past successes, while expanding future opportunities.

“I am an outsider to the community, which gives me the perspective to appreciate the legacy of the group more, not less,” said Brown. “I understand just how much value the Hillsdale Arts Chorale must bring to the lives of its citizens in the area and how rare a group such as this is. My belief is that groups run the best when the individuals within them feel value and purpose, and we will be looking for further ways to engage our membership with that principle in mind.”

Brown received her degrees from Oklahoma Christian University, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado.
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The Arts Chorale kicks off their 45th season on Saturday, November 4, at 7 PM at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hillsdale.