Find friends and sing! Join the Branch County Community Chorus

BRANCH COUNTY — If you like to sing, here is your chance to join the Branch County Community Chorus at an open house rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, located at 27 East Chicago St. in Coldwater.

The chorus, sponsored through Kellogg Community College, is directed by Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard, professor of vocal music and music area coordinator at KCC.

Case-Blanchard said the chorus is, "a group of individuals who love making music and are always looking to expand their community of musical friends."

Case-Blanchard said openings are available for all voice parts – soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The professor encouraged anyone with a passion for singing and a desire to learn to participate.

There is no formal audition process required to join the BCCC. Prospective choir members meet with Case-Blanchard for a brief vocal assessment before the 6:30 p.m. rehearsal process starts.

The professor promises an informal and welcoming process, allowing individuals from all musical backgrounds and experience levels to join.

Regular rehearsals will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Mark's through May.

The Branch County Community Chorus will prepare for three concerts this fall.

The first is Sept. 2, the Smith Memorial Concert at Tibbits Opera House.

The chorus will perform with the Battle Creek Symphony at W.K. Kellogg Auditorium on Nov. 2.

The annual holiday concert, "Sounds of the Season," takes place Dec. 8 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

The Branch County Community Chorus, established in the fall of 2001, is a "town and gown" ensemble that produces high-level concert performances.

Case-Blanchard became BCCC director in 2004 and expanded the repertoire to include not only the traditional classical by Bach, Handel, Mozart, and others, but added jazz, show music, world music, spirituals, and opera choruses among other music.

The choir has toured nationally, presenting concerts in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

In the summer of 2012, the BCCC embarked on its inaugural European concert tour, presenting concerts in Cork, Dublin, and Malahide, Ireland. In the summer of 2014, the choir presented concerts in towns and cities along the Amalfi Coast of Italy.

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KCC and the chorus are in the early planning stages for a summer 2025 tour of the Baltic region of Europe, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

For more information about the BCCC, contact Case-Blanchard at case-blanchardg@kellogg.edu or visit kellogg.edu/bccc .

Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Find friends and sing! Join the Branch County Community Chorus