Community Corner
The Bel Canto Chorale Continues to Have Strong Performances
Local singing group always seeking new members
The Bel Canto Chorale, a singing group in Wantagh that was founded over 40 years ago, has had great success with their various concerts that are held throughout each year.
Most recently, the chorale held a formal concert just before Christmas, which featured pieces by Rutter, Vivaldi and Puccini. The chorale also played some Christmas carols and invited the audience to sing along.
“There was a good turnout,” said Bel Canto Chorale president Duncan Fowler.
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The Bel Canto Chorale performs a variety of pieces, specifically major works under the direction of Gregory Mercer, who is the assistant director of a choral group at the famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral. “We try to improve and sing better each time,” said Fowler.
The chorale consists of between 40 and 50 singers. The members are diverse in terms of background and age.. The group is always looking for new members and there are a number of soloists that are chosen from the group for singing parts in formal concerts.
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“No one is turned away,” said Fowler.
The next concert the chorale will hold will be a benefit concert on March 13 at 3 p.m. at . The local singing group is also planning a May concert with musicians slated to be hired for it, according to Fowler.
The Bel Canto Chorale has taken part in many important performances over the years. This includes a series of performances of “Carmina Burana” several years ago, where St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea Children’s Choir and the West Islip Symphony Orchestra joined them. The Bel Canto Chorale) also performed Mozart’s “Requiem” in a series of concerts with the West Islip Symphony and the Northport Chorale. The Bel Canto Chorale even toured in England and Austria and performed “Dona Nobis Pacem” and the “Messiah” at Carnegie Hall.
The Bel Canto Chorale holds rehearsals on Sundays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wantagh Memorial Congressional Church and encourages anyone who is interested to join. For more information about the Bel Canto Chorale, log onto their website at www.belcantochorale.net.
