“Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.” The Community Chorus for Moorefield and Petersburg opens practice on September 15 and welcomes all who want to share their joy of music, regardless of experience.
For a decade, minus a few years during the pandemic, singers have come together in fall for the Community Chorus. Originally a Petersburg program, years ago so much interest came from Moorefield that organizer Rosalyn Glover expanded it into an event bringing the talents and love of music from both areas.
“This would be our 10th year, but we’ve been doing it for eight years.” The pandemic era forced a halt to public musical performances because “COVID hit hard. People were fearful of blowing that air around each other.” When the pandemic closures relaxed, the Community Choir returned. “It wasn’t starting over, but it was close,” she remembered.
Rosanne Glover taught at Petersburg for 27 years, 22 of those included a choral music program. She started off her career teaching mathematics. “The Board of Education wanted choral music in the curriculum,” she explained, and added “it took three years because my schedule would fill up with math classes.”
Grandchildren came along and, naturally, needed a grandmother’s attention. Glover retired from teaching, but continued to work with church groups and others.
As Glover explained, math and music go hand in hand. She discussed how the structure of the timing and notation of music is another expression of mathematics.
The Community Choir is forming now with plans for performances for Veterans Day and also the Christmas season.
While first established in Petersburg, Glover stated that it did not take long for songsters from Hardy County to make their way over. With so much interest from across the county line, the Community Choir expanded its offerings. They have always performed at the Landes Arts Center, but in recent years have added performances at Duffey Memorial Church.
Rehearsals start September 15 on Tuesday night and will continue on that night every week through the end of performances. The Veterans Day concert will take place on November 6 at Landes Arts Center “in conjunction with the community Veterans’ Day celebration.
The Christmas performance will feature half traditional religious favorites and half secular compositions.
Rehearsals take place at the Petersburg Presbyterian Church from 6:30 to 8:30 in the evenings.
“Anyone is welcome to join who wants to sing,” shared Glover.
She described that she has some in her almost 40 members who have difficulty standing for an entire performance. Those singers will sit in a front row of chairs. Performers who can stand, but do not feel as steady on their feet on the risers will be in the second row, standing on the floor. Others will be standing on the risers so all can be seen.
Some may enjoy singing in concert, but not on their own. “We rarely do solos,” explained Glover, who cited the space constraints at some venues that make solo performances difficult to capture. She added that some with less experience are advised by friends to sit with seasoned performers and she takes that into consideration as well.
They will be placed together for performances as well as rehearsals so all can feel comfortable when taking the stage.
Glover encourages anyone with questions to reach out to her at (304) 668-0716.
