DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710010108

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 17   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   84 lines

CHESAPEAKE CIVIC CHORUS DIDN'T TAKE A BREATHER THIS YEAR

The Chesapeake Civic Chorus, which usually takes something of a summer vacation, stayed as busy as ever this past season - and looks forward to more of the same.

Usually the chorus - made up of singing volunteers including choral teachers, voice coaches, music educators and professional singers under the musical direction of chorus leader Geraldine T. Boone - has a winter and spring performing season, then takes it easy during the hot months.

Not this past year.

``It's been very busy but very enjoyable,'' said publicity director Pearl Edwards as the group met to make plans for this year.

The group recently held the annual meeting of its board of directors with newly elected president JoAnne Carver presiding. Edwards said the directors reviewed the chorus' 1996-97 performing season and took stock of its activities during the summer.

On July 20, the chorus made its annual journey to the College Park section of Virginia Beach, near the Chesapeake city line, to perform for the residents of the Beth Sholom Home of Eastern Virginia nursing home.

``It's usually not a big deal,'' Boone said. ``It's not a formal concert or anything like that. We just round up whoever's in town and go and sing some upbeat songs for these people. We sing, have a good time, talk to the residents, laugh and hold their hands. We've done this for the past five or six years. This is more than just performing; it's being involved with people, with the community.''

A month later, the chorus held its annual Lakeside Park picnic in South Norfolk. The outdoor get-together featured the chorus' board of directors, chorus members and their families.

The very next day, Aug. 24, the chorus participated in the Chesapeake Arboretum Cultural Event, a program co-sponsored by the Chesapeake Civic Chorus, the Chesapeake Arboretum and the Women's Division of the Chesapeake Office of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

The fete combined the chorus' annual fund-raising Silver Tea with showcases for the Women's Division and the Arboretum. It featured performances from young recipients of Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission scholarship grants and, of course, a performance by the chorus.

On Aug. 31, the chorus volunteered in the name of good music.

On that Sunday, chorus members, dressed in Chesapeake Civic Chorus T-shirts, passed out programs at the Virginia Symphony's opening concert, kicking off its 1997-98 performing season.

Edwards said the chorus volunteered for this duty in the spirit of community service and as a way to help spread the cause of good music. Many in the chorus support and subscribe to Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera events. In addition, Virginia Symphony musicians have played with Chesapeake's singers during many Civic Chorus performances. And several chorus members, including Boone, regularly sing in the VOA chorus.

At the beginning of September, the chorus joined one of the city's most popular events, the Chesapeake Public Library-sponsored Civil War Days. Led by Boone, the chorus performed songs and spirituals of the Civil War era, singing compositions and tunes revered and enjoyed by both sides.

And last Sunday, the chorus traveled to Norfolk to perform a 4 p.m. concert of spirituals and sacred songs at the New Central Baptist Church.

The free concert was sponsored by the church's senior choir. Edwards said the church performance was another example of the chorus' community outreach. In addition, Boone serves as the church's minister of music.

``This has been one of our busiest summer seasons,'' Edwards said. ``Usually it's a time to take it easy. But no one minded; all of the events are a way for the Chesapeake Civic Chorus to be involved with the community.''

Another community project for the chorus will be its participation in the Nov. 19 Chesapeake Holiday Wonderland's gala opening, a fund-raiser for Chesapeake General Hospital's Cancer Treatment Center.

In gearing up for its winter and spring concerts, the chorus will be holding open auditions, always held 45 minutes prior to its weekly rehearsals, which take place every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at the Indian River High School chorus room.

Edwards said the group will be busy working on songs and music for its winter concert, taking place Feb. 1, and its spring concert, scheduled for June 7. Times, venues and programs will be announced at a later date.

``The chorus is eager to sing for its upcoming concert season,'' Edwards said. ``We were busy this summer and we'll be just as busy in the winter and spring.'' MEMO: Additional Chesapeake Civic Chorus singers are always welcome and

needed. Auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m., every Tuesday at the Indian

River High School chorus room, 2301 Dunbarton Drive. For more

information about the chorus or for more audition information, call

545-1248 or 545-9197.

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