Noted organist to accompany choral groups

Kevin Chamberlain is the minister of music and organist at Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford. He will be joining the Southern Delaware Choral Society in its collaborative spring concert series with the Delaware Choral Society in two concerts titled “Gabrieli to Gospel” be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach; and at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 10, at Wyoming United Methodist Church in Dover.

The challenges facing an artist accompanying eight-part harmonies are many, but Chamberlain has embraced them. “Quite frankly, I am always apprehensive. Not necessarily about the music, but how it will all come together,” he said. “I am still learning my role as accompanist. At the same time, I am facilitating rehearsals and trying to help with logistics. I see myself as a strong advocate who listens to the needs of the groups, explains my position and then rolls up my sleeves to work with the groups to get things done.”

Chamberlain is excited about the collaborative effort. “Delaware is a small state, and this is an opportunity to expand and grow the working relationships of the two premier choruses serving the lower part of the state. We often get too caught up in the day-to-day operations of our own groups to even find the time to investigate what is going on right down the road. In these concerts, both choirs get an opportunity to learn how each lives and works.”

Audience members will have the same opportunity to experience the subtle differences between the choirs. Each choir will perform several pieces on its own during the concerts as an opportunity to showcase the talent. The bulk of the concert features both choirs united providing the audience a rare opportunity to hear eight-part harmonies and enjoy the full sound that a large choir can offer.

Chamberlain said, “Many of our audience members are singers. Maybe they will consider joining with one or the other of the choirs as singers, not just listeners.”

The concerts will be conducted by John Ranney, conductor of the Southern Delaware Choral Society and Judy Moore, conductor of the Delaware Choral Society. Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students with valid ID. They are available by calling 302-645-2013, online at southerndelawarechoralsociety.org, at Puzzles in Lewes and at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach.