60 years…wow!
Sadly our 60th performing season 2019-20 had to end abruptly as did so many other events in the arts community. However, we continue to celebrate what 60 years of performing for our community means to us. Watch and read below for some thoughts and reflections.
CROSSROADS was the theme for the 2019-2020 60th Season
I chose that theme because in this benchmark season, the Chorale’s vision is the intersection of community, legacy, beauty and opportunity:
- We are a product of our community. Holland Chorale was born out of a desire for a singing community, and is committed to pouring excellent music back into our region.
- We cherish our legacy. Cal Langejans, founder and Artistic Director for forty years, and his wife Vonnie were recently honored at our annual gala. The Chorale has created the Calvin Langejans Award for Excellence in Music Education, to be presented each year. This year’s recipient is Sarah Cox, Vocal Music Teacher at Holland High School.
- We are committed to beauty. As the playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote: “You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” Holland Chorale recognizes that we need beauty as individuals and as a society, and we promise to bring it in our 60th season!
- To whom much is given, much is required. In gratitude for all that is given to Holland Chorale, we are passionate about opportunities for the future musicians. In our annual ADVENTURES IN HARMONY workshop, we continue to give high school singers the gift of singing under some of the finest teacher/conductors in Michigan. And we invite four students each year to sing with the Chorale as choral scholars, granting a scholarship for dues and uniform.
We hope you’ll join us for some upcoming virtual events and then when we can perform for you again live from the stage.
Patrick Coyle, DMA
Artistic Director of Holland Chorale