Southern Delaware

Choral Society

P. O. Box 444
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
ph: 302-226-5231
gr8fulgail@comcast.net

Bravo!

Handel's Messiah

Great performance by all today. Phil Wheeler, Lewes

Thoroughly enjoyed the concert. The soloists were wonderful and the choir sounded grand! John was, as usual, a charmer, making everyone feel included and welcome. I think, though, that I should have attended both concerts. With the sing along, I didn't really get to pay as much attention to the choir as I would have if not "singing along." Attending both concerts would have been the answer. I'll try to remember that. Kelly Abbott, Georgetown

The sing-along Messiah yesterday was wonderful!! All the soloists had strong, beautiful voices, and the chorus and orchestra sounded very good. It was great fun!! Thank you. Diane Sherwin

What a terrific concert!!!! Thanks so much to our maestro John for mastering such beautiful music and leading a 80 member chorus, a 18 member orchestra and four paid professional soloists. Wow, what a job! Thanks to Gail for being the rudder to our ship and seeing that are coffers are full and venues packed. Thanks to Ann for being our stage manager and putting up with the need for adjustments. Enjoy your time off, rest those vocal chords and have a very Merry Christmas! Jack Emery, Lewes

After singing for many years with the group, this concert was a real mountain-top experience for me. The orchestra was great, soloists great, and receptive, full audiences. I feel very blessed to have been a part of it. My friends' comments have been wonderful, too. Thanks to the board and John for pulling it all together again. Now I can get on with Christmas! Mary Ann Torkelson

I thank you all. It was difficult to hold back tears of awe and joy as this group came together to honor our Lord in so powerful a praise. I feel so blessed to be a part of all of you! Thank you sincerely for the gift which I will treasure in my heart always. Jean Dejewski

Hi Phyllis: I wanted to tell you that the S.Del. Choral Soc. concert on Saturday was a pleasure. I thought the Hallelujah Chorus was the most exciting yet. The tenor was outstanding! As former chorus members, we knew some of the rough spots, but overall the performance was very good and I am amazed that the music can seem so fresh after all these years. Loved the soprano trumpet! Betty Carnahan

My spirits were lifted with the 'difficult to perform' music and singing. Beverly Cook

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the concert on Saturday night. Everything sounded beautiful-wonderful soloists, best orchestra ever, and the best sound from the sopranos I've ever heard. I'm only sorry I wasn't able to be a part of it. Hopefully, the Spring concert will be just as superb. I miss you all. Carol Stutts.

From Gabrieli to Gospel

“What a wonderful program! It was exciting to hear the music…but also to learn about how/when different configurations of choral arrangements were first tried. I think my favorite piece was when the DCS group was in the back and your group was in front; also, when you all performed without any instruments.” Midge Smith, Lewes

“Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the concert. I was so impressed with the performance, the difficulty of the music, and how well you all performed.” Kelly Abbott, Georgetown

“Loved the concert, especially gospel!” Ann McNeil and Barbara Kelly, Lewes

"What a delight to sit in the audience and listen to you all and the Delaware Choral Society (which I used to be part of)! SDCS's first offering of Haydn and Tunder was first class and of course, it was hard for me to stay in my seat. The combined choirs were extravagant! From my likes, I wish you and Delaware Choral Society had skipped the first two offerings of Part 2--the Wesley and Sowerby pieces and gone right to the incredible last pieces of the Combined Choirs. The program would have been shorter and better. All in all, congratulations on a job well done!" Nettie Green, Rehoboth

"Ellen and I thoroughly enjoyed the concert. I preferred the first half, and she the second (giving away my preference for classical, especially baroque and Bach's Mass in B Minor), but we both felt both halves were great. In fact, I was especially moved by the spiritual, We Shall Walk Through The Valley In Peace, I told John after the concert that I would like to have some choir sing that at my funeral when that time comes. Bravo indeed!" Ed Thress, Seaford

"My sister, who sings in the Chester County Choral Society and majored in Music/Voice as primary instrument, said we did a great job. She was impressed with the technical difficulty of some of the pieces and how well we handled them. SHe traveled from Oxford PA for the show and said it was well worth the trip! My Parents and Aunt traveled from NJ and NY and thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Mom previously sang in the Morris County Chorus and Ensemble; she looked at the music before the concert and was impressed, and said we did a great job with all the selections." Peggy Gatti

An English Christmas

“We REALLY enjoyed the concert Saturday night. The blending of all your voices was so smooth, and everyone around where we were sitting really loved the harp (I’m kinda partial to the cello). As we were exiting the theatre, we both almost simultaneously said that your concert was the perfect way to start the holiday season. We loved hearing, yet again, the medieval and English carols…and the sing-alongs added another warm holiday feel.” Midge Smith and Carl Wisler, Lewes

"Hi Dan, just want to let you know that Sherri and I thoroughly enjoyed the concert yesterday! Relaxing and uplifting....! Thanks for letting us know about it." Dick Byrne, Rehoboth Beach

“We so much enjoyed the concert last night. The Society makes such beautiful and meaningful music. And the talent, work and devotion you put into it is so clear – and much appreciated.” Roni Posner & Jeri Berc, Lewes

“The Southern Delaware Choral Society was great yesterday….enjoyed the performance and the harp immensely. Thank your for all you did to bring Delaware Technical and Community College and the Choral Society together in partnership.” Maribeth Dockety, Director of Human Resources, DTCC

“We all enjoyed Saturday night so much.Thank you.” Joyce Lussier, Rehoboth Beach

“Saturday’s concert was WONDERFUL!” Ann McNeil & Barbara Kelley, Lewes

"We really enjoyed the concert on Sunday!" Joe Roszin, Laurel

Spring 2010 Dress Rehearsal

Opening Night on Broadway Kudos

“What a fun evening for all. Thanks for sharing your fun with the rest of us.” Kathryn Harris, Lewes

"Dara, Jack and I were at the SD Choral Society concert on Saturday. We thoroughly enjoyed it and thought your solo was wonderful. We noticed as we left that virtually everyone had a smile on their faces. We look forward to the next concert as I am sure we will be in attendance." Kudos, Joyce Bramson and Jack Murphy, Lewes

"What fun!! Thank you so much." Bev Smith Seaford

“We’re writing to tell you how much we enjoyed Saturday’s concert. The selections were wonderful and the audience really got into the program. The applause must have been gratifying for all your hard work. We are truly fortunate to have such a high quality chorus in southern Delaware.”

Ann McNeil & Barbara Kelly, Lewes

"Phyllis, I just wanted to tell you how good it was to see you on Sunday and how much we enjoyed the concert. Your director is a hoot! I was reading his bio and it says he was a pastor for 30 years. Bet that was a fun congregation to be around or maybe he just let go of all that formality when he retired. In any case, he certainly makes it fun to watch and seems to keep the choir at ease. I also wanted to tell you that I thought the costuming idea with the shawl was outstanding in the way it changed for each segment of the performance. Very cool! Take care and thanks again for inviting us to your concert." Janet Dickerson,Wilmington

"Hi Rich, Again, how incredibly wonderful was yesterday's concert! We had an absolutely, astoundingly good time, and our evening's repast at DiFebo's was divine! We look forward to more! The planned programs in your message from the SDCS website sound superb; I especially like the prospect of a Messiah sing-a-long! Have not had an opportunity to experience that for a very long time." The Rev'd Jeanne W Kirby-Coladonato, Seaford

"Thank you so much for the great time we had at Saturday night's show. Wow, it was wonderful! We love Broadway musicals, so it was a great introduction to the Southern Delaware Choral Society. We look forward to your next season. Thanks again." David and Judith Jester, Rehoboth Beach

“… congratulations on a wonderful program. The chorus sounded great. I had several church choir members come and they really enjoyed it also. John Ranney was great dancing around up there. You all were very enjoyable." Kathryn L. Beck, Choir Director, Mariners Bethel UMC, Ocean View

"What a wonderful evening we had at 'Opening Night on Broadway'. The voices, the pieces of music chosen were perfect. How lucky we are here in Sussex County to have so much talent. Thanks again" Bob & Terry Cassanelli, Rehoboth Beach

"We certainly enjoyed the SD Choral Society's presentation of "Opening Night on Broadway" Saturday evening. It was evident that you all have a dedication to performing. Thank you so much for the opportunity to see such great entertainment." Sincerely, Joan & Richard Sciorra, Lewes

"Hi Phyllis, I just got home from my first Choral Society concert and can't believe that I've never treated myself to such a wonderful evening all these years. I can't think of having such an entertaining evening as this one. And, your voice is as special as you are and my friend and I decided that you have the most fun of any in the group. Go girl!!!! Thanks to you all for such a wonderful evening. It's hard to picture your director in a pulpit but oh, what fun he seems to be." Hugs, Doris Hamrick

“Generally, we prefer classical music, but also enjoy musical theater. The chorus did a wonderful job and sounded very full and majestic with the Broadway tunes. It was wonderful getting 60 years of music in one concert. Together, both the voices and the harmonies brought together those of us who prefer the classics and those who are inclined toward musical theater.” Gwyneth and Jonathan Sharp, Lewes

“Opening Night on Broadway” was a musical delight, from the opening piece from The Sound of Music to the final notes of “Bring Them Home” from Les Miz. The medley from Guys and Dolls took me back to the time I saw it on Broadway over 50 years ago. “Adelaide’s Lament” was sung with a perfect Brooklyn accent. Spot on! Chicago had me moving in my seat. How can you keep still when you hear “Razzle Dazzle”? “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” from Kiss Me Kate was a real show-stopper as Roo Brown ad John Ranney took center stage. Wow! The SDCS was never better. Roy Anderson, Rehoboth Beach

“I’m a new member of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and so I enjoyed listening, from the perspective of a chorus singer, to SDCS’s Broadway review. The singers are so talented, accomplished, and ambitious….an inspiration and model for our chorus. We do have some members in common, and I was very proud to hear two of them perform wonderful solos during Saturday’s concert. The CAMP chorus talked about the SDCS concert at our last rehearsal, and I believe my enthusiasm for it was shared by all who had the opportunity to attend.” Jeri Berc, Lewes

“We attended the concert and thought it was great. MY “date” for the evening was my 8 year old grandson, Timmy, who was here for the weekend. Bravo to all of you!” Dinah Reath, Lewes

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P. O. Box 444
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
ph: 302-226-5231
gr8fulgail@comcast.net