Listen to The Gary Beard Chorale as they sing "Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way"

THE GARY BEARD CHORALE made its debut in a gala concert on August 2, 1987. Since that time, this dynamic choral organization has made its mark in the field of sacred, classical and popular choral music. "Not every group can comfortably perform large scale sacred music such as requiems or cantatas and comfortably entertain with an evening of Broadway show tunes. The Gary Beard Chorale has the confidence, training and versatility to do so, as it demonstrated for a packed house of several hundred Friday night." (The Commercial Appeal, November 7, 1992)

The Gary Beard Chorale is a twenty-four member ensemble selected from the nationally acclaimed Lindenwood Christian Church Chancel Choir, a 95-voice ensemble which has been called "an extraordinary chorus...which demonstrates the rich rewards which flow from dedication, discipline and competent direction." (Alexandria Daily, 1986) The Chorale made its New York debut in September 1987 - the first concert in the newly renovated Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and a review in The National Christian Reporter heralded the Chorale as "an exciting new enterprise full of promise, energy and talent...The Chorale achieved a polished sound indicative of the professional level of musicianship of its members."

Their European debut was in June 1989 at Vienna's historic St. Charles Kirche, and subsequent tour appearances included a "standing-room-only" concert at St. Peter's Kirche in Salzburg and at St. Florian's with the famous Bruckner organ! The 1988 “Evening with John Rutter” included the composer’s Mid-South debut, as well as the area premiere of several of his choral works.

The ensemble toured as the Hinshaw Music Company's "Chorus-In-Residence" in 1989 presenting concerts in Atlanta; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Wheeling, West Virginia. Their 1990 schedule included their first appearance under the auspices of prestigious Community Concerts Association as well as appearances on the "Trinity Presents…" series in Little Rock, Arkansas; at Memphis' Brooks Museum of Art; historic First Presbyterian Church of Holly Springs, Mississippi; and for the May Festival of Harrell Performing Arts Center in Collierville, Tennessee. As the chorus for Opera Memphis' production of Gounod's Faust, The Memphis Business Journal’s Edwin Howard wrote "the chorus, bolstered by The Gary Beard Chorale and with Beard are chorus master, rises to prodigious new heights, particularly in the Chorus of the Swords and the waltz, ‘Ainsi que la brise,’ in the second scene of the first act. So robust is their singing of the latter that at times they actually down out the orchestra (instead of the usual vise versa). Of the same performance, The Commercial Appeal’s Whitney Smith wrote, “The chorus in this opera happens to be excellent". Their performance of Poulenc's Gloria in May 1991 won The Memphis is May International Festival’s award as the "Outstanding Community Performing Arts Event" and The Commercial Appeal's Whitney Smith said "the enthusiasm these singers brought to the piece fit the composer's intentions." The Chorale has also appeared in numerous "pops" concerts with orchestra and teamed with famed William Warfield, best known for his thrilling rendition of "Ol' Man River" in MGM's classic film version of "Showboat", for a concert of American music in 1992. Of “The Great Sacred Classics” conducted by Sir David Willcocks, he wrote to the chorus:“thanks to very careful preparation and meticulous attention to detail, the result was an exciting concert for everyone, including this conductor!”

They debuted at the world renowned Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina in 1992. They returned to perform two concerts for the 1994 Festival where they sang two highly acclaimed performances. Of their concert at historic St. Philip’s Church, the Post Courier’s Mary Solomon wrote, “there were certainly some fine moments of singing with nice choral blends. Of jazz artist George Shearing’s musical setting from “Much Ado About Nothing”, which the chorale premiered in 1989, Ms. Solomon continued, “Certainly, Shakespeare would never have expected this, but it worked well.”

More recent appearances included returns to the prestigious Warfield Concerts series in Arkansas, Memphis' "Calvary and the Arts" series, Memphis' Brooks Museum and in Dothan, AL, Brownsville, TN and Holly Springs, MS. Other recent venues have been Corinth, MS for the Northeast Mississippi Community Concerts Association, The Germantown (TN) Symphony Orchestra for their annual Gala, the Opening Ceremonies for the Titanic - The Exhibition in Memphis, The Somerville (TN) Cultural Arts Series celebration of the state bicentennial, Tennessee 2000 as well as a concert as the "back-up" for singer Barry Manilow, several “pops” concerts with orchestra throughout the Mid-South, the televised opening of Redbirds Baseball Stadium in Memphis, and a return to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The chorale's first CD recording, "Awake the Trumpets - Music for a Grand Wedding" was released in November 1995. They are also featured in several selections on “Sing We Now of Christmas”, a recording of the Lindenwood Ministries of Music, released in December 1996 on the Pro Organo label, and National Public Radio’s “Pipedreams” has played several of the chorale’s selections on recent broadcasts. Of the chorale’s highly anticipated ‘pops’ recording, “Give My Regards - The Gary Beard Chorale Sings Broadway and More”, producer Fredrick Hohman said, “The Chorale takes Memphis to the steps of Broadway.” The 15th season included numerous concerts throughout the area and is highlighted by a performance of Verdi’s “Requiem” in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as a nomination for the Premier Player Award by the Memphis Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The programming possibilities are limitless - do not forget this extraordinary ensemble in your future planning!

THE MEMBERS OF THE CHORALE

REHEARSALS: Tuesday evenings; 7:30-9:30 in the choir room

Niki Anthony, Peggy S. Bishop, Demesia Fleece Blancett, Bill Burtch, Chris Bryant, Bonnie Cameron, Gregg Coats, Jim Coleman, Cheryl Cox, Natalie Gibbons, Carol Graham Sharpe, Ronald Granger, Teresa Griffith, Jessica Johnson Hunter, Kim Hunter, Robert T. Kyle III, Joseph Lackie, Shane McElveen, Delia Parman,  Lura Elliott Turner, Phyllis Warren, Mary Anna Williamson.

Listen to The Gary Beard Chorale as they sing "Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way"

THE GARY BEARD CHORALE made its debut in a gala concert on August 2, 1987. Since that time, this dynamic choral organization has made its mark in the field of sacred, classical and popular choral music. "Not every group can comfortably perform large scale sacred music such as requiems or cantatas and comfortably entertain with an evening of Broadway show tunes. The Gary Beard Chorale has the confidence, training and versatility to do so, as it demonstrated for a packed house of several hundred Friday night." (The Commercial Appeal, November 7, 1992)

The Gary Beard Chorale is a twenty-four member ensemble selected from the nationally acclaimed Lindenwood Christian Church Chancel Choir, a 95-voice ensemble which has been called "an extraordinary chorus...which demonstrates the rich rewards which flow from dedication, discipline and competent direction." (Alexandria Daily, 1986) The Chorale made its New York debut in September 1987 - the first concert in the newly renovated Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and a review in The National Christian Reporter heralded the Chorale as "an exciting new enterprise full of promise, energy and talent...The Chorale achieved a polished sound indicative of the professional level of musicianship of its members."

Their European debut was in June 1989 at Vienna's historic St. Charles Kirche, and subsequent tour appearances included a "standing-room-only" concert at St. Peter's Kirche in Salzburg and at St. Florian's with the famous Bruckner organ! The 1988 “Evening with John Rutter” included the composer’s Mid-South debut, as well as the area premiere of several of his choral works.

The ensemble toured as the Hinshaw Music Company's "Chorus-In-Residence" in 1989 presenting concerts in Atlanta; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Wheeling, West Virginia. Their 1990 schedule included their first appearance under the auspices of prestigious Community Concerts Association as well as appearances on the "Trinity Presents…" series in Little Rock, Arkansas; at Memphis' Brooks Museum of Art; historic First Presbyterian Church of Holly Springs, Mississippi; and for the May Festival of Harrell Performing Arts Center in Collierville, Tennessee. As the chorus for Opera Memphis' production of Gounod's Faust, The Memphis Business Journal’s Edwin Howard wrote "the chorus, bolstered by The Gary Beard Chorale and with Beard are chorus master, rises to prodigious new heights, particularly in the Chorus of the Swords and the waltz, ‘Ainsi que la brise,’ in the second scene of the first act. So robust is their singing of the latter that at times they actually down out the orchestra (instead of the usual vise versa). Of the same performance, The Commercial Appeal’s Whitney Smith wrote, “The chorus in this opera happens to be excellent". Their performance of Poulenc's Gloria in May 1991 won The Memphis is May International Festival’s award as the "Outstanding Community Performing Arts Event" and The Commercial Appeal's Whitney Smith said "the enthusiasm these singers brought to the piece fit the composer's intentions." The Chorale has also appeared in numerous "pops" concerts with orchestra and teamed with famed William Warfield, best known for his thrilling rendition of "Ol' Man River" in MGM's classic film version of "Showboat", for a concert of American music in 1992. Of “The Great Sacred Classics” conducted by Sir David Willcocks, he wrote to the chorus:“thanks to very careful preparation and meticulous attention to detail, the result was an exciting concert for everyone, including this conductor!”

They debuted at the world renowned Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina in 1992. They returned to perform two concerts for the 1994 Festival where they sang two highly acclaimed performances. Of their concert at historic St. Philip’s Church, the Post Courier’s Mary Solomon wrote, “there were certainly some fine moments of singing with nice choral blends. Of jazz artist George Shearing’s musical setting from “Much Ado About Nothing”, which the chorale premiered in 1989, Ms. Solomon continued, “Certainly, Shakespeare would never have expected this, but it worked well.”

More recent appearances included returns to the prestigious Warfield Concerts series in Arkansas, Memphis' "Calvary and the Arts" series, Memphis' Brooks Museum and in Dothan, AL, Brownsville, TN and Holly Springs, MS. Other recent venues have been Corinth, MS for the Northeast Mississippi Community Concerts Association, The Germantown (TN) Symphony Orchestra for their annual Gala, the Opening Ceremonies for the Titanic - The Exhibition in Memphis, The Somerville (TN) Cultural Arts Series celebration of the state bicentennial, Tennessee 2000 as well as a concert as the "back-up" for singer Barry Manilow, several “pops” concerts with orchestra throughout the Mid-South, the televised opening of Redbirds Baseball Stadium in Memphis, and a return to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The chorale's first CD recording, "Awake the Trumpets - Music for a Grand Wedding" was released in November 1995. They are also featured in several selections on “Sing We Now of Christmas”, a recording of the Lindenwood Ministries of Music, released in December 1996 on the Pro Organo label, and National Public Radio’s “Pipedreams” has played several of the chorale’s selections on recent broadcasts. Of the chorale’s highly anticipated ‘pops’ recording, “Give My Regards - The Gary Beard Chorale Sings Broadway and More”, producer Fredrick Hohman said, “The Chorale takes Memphis to the steps of Broadway.” The 15th season included numerous concerts throughout the area and is highlighted by a performance of Verdi’s “Requiem” in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as a nomination for the Premier Player Award by the Memphis Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

The programming possibilities are limitless - do not forget this extraordinary ensemble in your future planning!

THE MEMBERS OF THE CHORALE

REHEARSALS: Tuesday evenings; 7:30-9:30 in the choir room

Niki Anthony, Peggy S. Bishop, Demesia Fleece Blancett, Bill Burtch, Chris Bryant, Bonnie Cameron, Gregg Coats, Jim Coleman, Cheryl Cox, Natalie Gibbons, Carol Graham Sharpe, Ronald Granger, Teresa Griffith, Jessica Johnson Hunter, Kim Hunter, Robert T. Kyle III, Joseph Lackie, Shane McElveen, Delia Parman,  Lura Elliott Turner, Phyllis Warren, Mary Anna Williamson.