ASHLAND AREA CHORUS ANNOUNCES 14TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON WITH REHEARSALS BEGINNING AUGUST 22

Based at Ashland University, the Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), a non-auditioned mixed choir of about 70 singers announces its fourteenth anniversary season.  The fall rehearsal schedule begins Monday, August 22 and continues every Monday night from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Ashland University in the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building), room 242. 

For the 2011.2012 season, the Chorus will perform a program of American music at the University’s Fall Choral Concert on October 16 and participate in the annual Festival of Lights event on December 11.  On April 28, 2012 the AAC will perform Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra and the Ashland University Choir.

Under the direction of Ashland University Director of Choral Activities Dr. Ron Blackley, the chorus is open to the Ashland community and surrounding areas including singers from Ashland, Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, and Crawford counties participating.  Previous choral experience is helpful and encouraged.  While there are no strict age limits, singers under 18 must be approved by the director.  There is no cost to the singer. 

The AAC has performed regularly in Ashland University choral concerts, with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and for the Ohio Choral Directors Association.  Recent appearances have included subscription concerts with the ASO (including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and the Verdi Requiem) and the summer pops concert in the park at Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell. 

Current members should encourage their talented friends and neighbors to attend the first rehearsal and make a vocal contribution to this fine musical organization.  For further information, contact Dr. Ron Blackley, Ashland University director of choral activities, at rblackle@ashland.edu or (419) 289-5114.