
Welcome to the Rocky Mount Chamber Choir
The Rocky Mount Chamber Choir is a choral ensemble of folks who love to sing and who are committed to the art of choral singing. Of the several professions represented by its members, more than half are teachers and school administrators in the Rocky Mount/Nash County and Wilson school systems, and many of them teach music. The ensemble is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
The group’s repertoire includes music from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The Fall, Christmas, and Spring concerts are free and open to the public. RMCC is directed by James Smith and accompanied by Virginia Vance. The home base for the group is First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, where Smith serves as the director of music and Vance serves as the organist.
Brief History
Following auditions in February 2015, the group began rehearsals in late March in preparation for a spring concert. Thanks to a wonderful newspaper article about the choir in the Rocky Mount Telegram, a large appreciative audience was on hand for the first performance at First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount. A second performance of the same program was given in early August at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, where an audience of approximately 300 rewarded the group with a standing ovation. The choir then went on to present four more performances through June 2016. Near the end of their first full season, the Rocky Mount Telegram published another article about the group. A remarkably successful first year!
During the 2016-2017 season, the Rocky Mount Chamber Choir presented six concerts. In addition to the fall concert in Rocky Mount, the choir was invited to perform on the "Music at First" concert series at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. A Christmas concert with chamber orchestra was followed in the new year with another Valentine’s concert at Benvenue Country Club in Rocky Mount. In May the group presented a concert at the invitation of Wesleyan College’s Dunn Center to celebrate the center's 20th anniversary of its Performing Arts Series. The Chamber Choir closed its second season with a concert at The Cypress in Raleigh.
The 2017-2018 season was an exciting one. In addition to the Fall and Valentine's concerts, RMCC again presented a Christmas concert at First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount. They were joined for a portion of the concert by singers from Nash Central High School; the performance was accompanied by a chamber orchestra. A free will offering of over $1400 was received to support the United Community Ministries of Rocky Mount. In April, RMCC was joined by singers from the Rocky Mount community to present Parts II and III of Handel's "Messiah," accompanied by an orchestra. Again, a free will offering was received; $1395 was given to the Bassett Center, a homeless shelter for children and adults. In addition to the local concerts, the group performed on a concert series at First Presbyterian in New Bern and at Bruton Parish in Williamsburg, Va.
After nearly two years of the Covid pandemic, the choir returned to “live” choral singing with a Christmas concert in December 2021. A surge in Covid cases forced the cancellation of a Spring concert. Since serious Covid cases are now under control, the choir is excited to begin their 2022-2023 concert season.
AUDITIONS
If you are interested in singing with the ensemble, please contact James Smith at director@rockymountchamberchoir.com to schedule an audition. An accompanist will be provided.
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Sing two songs or portions of two songs of contrasting style
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Demonstrate vocal range and sight-reading ability
CHOIR MEMBERS
Jonathan Armstrong
Eddie Atkins
Sarah Anderson
Jeffrey Batts
Alyson Boswell
Scott Fritschel
Kristin Harkins
Jeremy Herring
Kristian Herring
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Gretchen Hunt
Margie Jesse
Cullen Johnson
Emily Kicklighter
Lisa Lamm
Susie Powers
Coley Rhodes
Lana Quesenberry
Mark Ream
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Zack Ross
Caleb Skinner
Dana Sosna
Sophie Stevens
Joan Vick
Steve Warren
Suzanne Weaver
Tara Woodard
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James Smith, President
Dana Sosna, Vice-President
Jeffrey Batts, Secretary / Treasurer
Connie Grant
Caleb Skinner
Mark Ream, Web / Social Media
Suzanne Weaver