Emory & Henry Community Choir (photo by Leah Prater)
The newest community choir in the region is based at Emory & Henry College and its creation was inspired by community requests.
Natalie Shaffer, director. says, “I joined the faculty at Emory & Henry College as Visiting Director of Choral Activities last August and had the pleasure of meeting many choir alumni in the community and on campus. Each encounter transpired in a similar manner. Theindividual would recount their time with the E&H Concert Choir with excitement and share that they wished there was an opportunityto gather and sing now. Many missed the camaraderie and sense of belonging choralgroups had offered them; others wanted a creativeoutlet or to try something completely new. I also received emails from community members who are new to the Abingdon area and interestedin continuing to sing with community choirs for masterworks and other large-scale pieces. It became clear that an E&H Community Choir would serve our area and provide opportunities for current students to participate in larger pieces by joining forces with them. I proposed the idea near the end of my first semester and the community choir began rehearsals in January.”
The choir rehearses Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Their upcoming concerts are held at Emory & Henry in the McGlothin Center for the Arts. The choir participates in the fall choral concert, “Part of the Human Heart,” Sunday Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m., and the spring choral concert, “Tending Our Joy,” April 14 at 3 p.m. The choir also presents the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah” along with some other holiday favorites Sunday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.
“I strive to program all genres of choral music as I believe the traditional and well-known pieces are as valid and engaging as modern and lesser-known works. Our upcoming season, which runs concurrent with the academic year, will include traditional masterworks, spirituals, carol arrangements by a living composer, world music pieces and Dello Joio’s‘A Jubilant Song.’
“There is incredible beauty in a nearly perfect performance of demanding repertoire but there is also incredible beauty in connection, exploration and vulnerability. By creating affirming spaces and focusing on inclusive musical practices, I hope to facilitate music making that feels good for both the performers and the audience members. I am committed to introducing the voices of composers and sounds of musical cultures different than the standard canon, while cultivating an appreciation of traditional choral pieces and understanding of standard choral technique,” Shaffer says.
The group has no formal audition process. Singers who wish to join should email Shaffer at nnshaffer@ehc.edu and make arrangements to attend a rehearsal and see if it’s a good fit.
When asked why she thought people joined a community choir, she said, “First and foremost, people love singing. For many people singing alone can be anxiety inducing or bring up old experiences where they were made to feel their voice was not good enough, couldn’t sing high enough, or any other variety of unpleasant statements. Singing in a group like ours provides space to explore using your voice, feeling your breath and coming to feel more at home in your body. The second reason I think is the most obvious, community choirs offer community. There are not many activities in which everyone is breathing in unison, focused on the same goal and continuously oscillating between moments of leadership and moments of support. Our choir members enjoy supporting one another in rehearsal and outside as well. They are dedicated to creating meaningful and enjoyable choral music and excited to share their experience with their community.
“As we continue to grow and get to know one another, we will continue to discuss what direction the group wants to take. That could include more stand-alone concerts, a tour, a summer activity, or other ideas suggested by members. It’s an exciting time to join and help shape the trajectory of the choir’s path for the near future.
Shaffer is a doctoral candidate at West Virginia University completing her dissertation which focuses on collaborative social justice through choral music making. She holds master’s degrees in music history and choral conducting also from WVU. Her bachelor’s degree is in music education from West Virginia Wesleyan College where she also earned a minor in sociology. In addition to her responsibilities at E&H, she is an avid performer, clinician and adjudicator. She is a native West Virginian who misses the Mountain State but is enjoying creating a home here in Southwest Virginia with her pup, Trevor.
To find out more information or see a concert schedule, visit the choral program section of the E&H website, www.ehc.edu, visit the events page of the McGlothlin Center’s website, www.ehc.edu/mca or follow on Facebook or Instagram.
