Andover Choral Society Calling ALL Singers

The Andover Choral Society, directed by Michael Driscoll, invites those who enjoy singing fine choral music, to join us for our 86th season. Open rehearsals will be held from 7:20 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Monday, September 21 and Monday September 28 at Christ Church, 25 Central Street in Andover.

The chorus will sing two concerts this season. On Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 3pm in the North Andover High School auditorium, they will perform Bach’s Magnificat in D, Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Zelenka’s Dixit Dominus. Bach composed his Magnificat, one of the moved beloved of all choral works, during his first year in Leipzig, Germany. Complementing this festive masterpiece are two works by composers whom Bach admired: Antonio Vivaldi and Jan Dismas Zelenka. Vivaldi’s Magnificat, is a lesser-known gem from the Venetian master. The Andover Choral Society is delighted to perform one of Zelenka’s many excellent Vesper psalm settings, Psalm 109 (110) Dixit Dominus, ZWV 68. Director Michael Driscoll notes, “This concert features three of my favorite Baroque composers. Audience members will hear Bach’s magnificent counterpoint, Vivaldi’s tuneful melodies, and Zelenka’s exhilarating rhythmic drive – all in one unforgettable afternoon!”

On Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Andover, the chorus will perform Mozart’s “Coronation” Mass and Schubert’s Mass in B-Flat Major. Director Michael Driscoll notes, “Schubert and Mozart were just eighteen and twenty-three years old, respectively, when they wrote these works. Although these works were written over two centuries ago, the music still captivates performers and listeners of today.”

The chorus will be accompanied by a professional orchestra and soloists for each concert.

Andover Choral Society is a community chorus dedicated to bringing high-quality choral music to the Merrimack Valley community. Since 1929, membership in the chorus has been open to anyone with a love of great choral music and a desire to share that love with others. Michael Driscoll has been the music director since 2013. The chorus performs two concerts per year, with a repertoire that focuses on fine choral and choral-orchestral works from the Baroque era to the 21st century. The concerts are sponsored in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.