John Finney:
Conductor
Auditions | Chorale History | Concert Archives
Accompanist and
Associate Conductor
Join the Heritage Chorale for its 72nd season beginning on
Sunday, November 23, 2008
4:00 p.m., St. Mark's school, Southborough
Under the direction of John Finney, Conductor of the Heritage Chorale, and accompanied by Associate Conductor Darryl Hollister at the piano, the chorale will present partsongs by Haydn and Brahms as well as works by the American composers Randall Thompson (including selections from "Frostiana," settings of poems by Robert Frost), and Morten Lauridsen (including selections from "Chansons des Roses," settings of poems by Rainer Maria Rilke).
Click
here for audition dates or call the Info-Line at 508-270-3999 to speak with a Heritage Chorale member.
| Mission Statement: The Heritage Chorale is a nonprofit organization of accomplished singers dedicated to performing high quality choral music. We are committed to standards of excellence in our rehearsals and performances, and seek to inspire in ourselves and our Metrowest audience a greater love of music and community. |
Now celebrating its 70th season, the Heritage Chorale is an ensemble of more than 80 singers from throughout the Metrowest area conducted by renowned Boston-area music director John Finney. The Chorale's varied musical activities in the Framingham area annually include three major concerts—two classical and one Pops program. Programming is supported by ticket sales, Friends and Supporters Campaign, Craft Fair, grants and member dues. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening, September to June at Scott Hall, First Parish Church of Framingham.
For tickets or other information, please contact the Info-Line at 508-270-3999, or write Heritage Chorale, P.O. Box 1335, Framingham, MA 01701-1335.
The
Heritage Chorale is a member of the Greater
Boston Choral Consortium.
Programs are funded in part by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council 
.
The Heritage Chorale was founded in the fall of 1937 by a small group of Framingham residents who often gathered informally to sing madrigals and spirituals. Known then as the Community Choral Society, the ensemble gave its first concert of short works in December 1937 on a budget of $62! Obviously much has changed in the intervening years—recent audiences have seen sold out performances of Israel in Egypt with full orchestra and professional soloists and Carmina Burana with an enthusiastic chorus of 95 singers!
The chorale's history is marked by outstanding directors including the founder Dr. Edward Gilday, Allen Lannom, John Oliver, Robert Gronquist, Christopher Carlson, and Philip Moss. Much of the Heritage Chorale's recent success can be attributed to the visionary leadership and high expectations set by Conductor John Finney. He has led the chorale since 1987 in performing a repertoire that has included such major works as A German Requiem by Brahms, St. John Passion by Bach, the complete Messiah by Handel, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Verdi's Requiem. The chorale frequently participates in local events and has also performed in the past with the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Boston Ballet, the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston and the Concord Orchestra.
Auditions are by appointment following attendance at semi-annual open rehearsals. The next open rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesday, September 2 and Tuesday, September 9. Auditions will occur on Thursday, September 11. Those who audition should be prepared to sight-read and sing music rehearsed during the open rehearsals. Prepared pieces can also be performed, but are not required.
Rehearsals are held in Scott Hall of the First Parish Church of Framingham at 24 Vernon Street, just off Route 9 and Edgell Road at the end of the green in Framingham Centre.
For further information, please call the Heritage Chorale Info-Line at 508-270-3999 and leave a message for the Membership Chairperson, or write to: Membership Chairperson, Heritage Chorale, PO Box 1335, Framingham, MA 01701.