DELAWARE WOMEN’S CHOIR (USA)

Programme:

Joseph Martin (1959), The Awakening

Ron Jeffers (1949), This We Know

Frank Tiobeli (1958), Earth Song

Mark Sirret (1952), My Heart Sears

Stacey V. Gibbs (1988), Ql’ Time Religion

Robert T. Gibson (1980), This Little Light of Mine

John Leavitt (1956), 0 Mary, Don’t You Weep

Jonathan Rodgers (1981), Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Kinley Lange (1950), Esto Les Digo

arr. Molly Ijames (1979), Over the Rainbow

arr. Mark Hayes (1953), Bridge Over Troubled Water

Elaine Hagenberg (1999), You Do Not Walk Alone

Susan LaBarr (1981), Orion

Catherine Dalton (1959), The Path You Walk Upon

The Delaware Women’s Chorus, which began in 2004, is one of the Delaware School of Music’s most distinguished ensembles. Under the direction of Joanne J. Ward, the ensemble continues to grow and develop with regular concerts throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Members come from four states, range in age from 20 to 83, and represent a wide variety of nationalities, lifestyles, and performance levels. In all of its heterogeneity, the choir comes together once a week to form a unified body of music with a sincere desire to make beautiful music in an artistic, healthy, supportive environment. Their mission is to enable members to master their musical skills, to share with audiences a wide range of human emotions and experiences through a broad spectrum of music written specifically for women’s voices, and to promote singing as a lifelong endeavor.

Choirmaster Joanne J. Ward holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Montclair University and a Master’s degree in Vocal Music from West Chester University, USA. She has studied voice with Benjamin Wilkes, Larry Dorminy and Kate Madole and has worked as a leading performer with area churches, choral ensembles and theatre groups. Joanne J. Ward was formerly Director of Choral Activities for the Pennsville Public School District in Pennsville, New Jersey. She was the founder and artistic director of the Wilmington Youth Chorus and the Delaware Children’s Chorus at the Delaware School of Music. She is currently conductor and artistic director of The Delaware Women’s Chorus and The Cantabile Women’s Chorus, both at the Delaware School of Music. The conductor has a large private singing studio in Wilmington and Milford, Delaware. Her students are selected each year for regional, state and national honor choirs. She is a highly respected choral conductor and adjudicator, soprano, and serves as the Vocal/Choral Department Chair.

Admission free.