Lift Up Your Voices—And Sing!
CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Celebrates 10 Years of Song
“We need a gay chorus!” long-time Letters columnist Fay Jacobs told CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Steve Elkins in 2009.
“It won't happen by magic. Someone has to do it,” Steve replied. So she did. In fact, Fay did something even better: She immediately got to work laying the foundation for a chorus which, like CAMP Rehoboth, would be open to all—LGBTQ, straight (but not narrow minded), young, and not-so-young.
A gifted writer and producer with many musical shows to her credit, Fay was the perfect person to launch the chorus. She enlisted the help of two seasoned professionals: conductor and soloist Bill McManus, and virtuoso pianist David Zipse. Word went out for anyone interested in an informal sing-along to come to CAMP Rehoboth at 6:30 p.m. on June 15, 2009. Twenty-eight people showed up for what turned out to be an evening of fun, lively music, and a glimpse of what the future could hold. The CAMP Rehoboth Chorus was born!
The chorus premiered its first production, “Room for All,” on January 31, 2010, at Clear Space Theater. What a fabulous evening it was! The inimitable Fay Jacobs produced, wrote, and narrated the show. The 25-member chorus sang show tunes and choral classics, with Steve Elkins, Glen Pruitt, and John Hulse adding to the fun with their hilarious rendition of “Bosom Buddies.” The show was so well received there was an encore performance the following May at the Milton Theater. The chorus was off to a fantastic start.
In its first three seasons, artistic director Fay Jacobs and music director Bill McManus built the chorus to an increasingly professional level. When they stepped down because of travel and other commitments, the chorus was fortunate to have the multi-talented Doug Yetter take over as artistic and music director. Doug was a co-founder of Clear Space Theatre and had over 40 years of experience as a director, composer, arranger, actor, and conductor. As Fay noted, the chorus was “in great hands with Doug at the helm.”
Fast forward! Next season, its 10th, the now 90-member chorus will present a special anniversary concert, called “Seasons of Love.”
Concerts will take place Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16, at 7p.m., and Sunday, February 17, at 3 p.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach. A fourth concert will take place on April 28, at 3 p.m., at the Sussex Academy, 21150 Airport Road, Georgetown.
Hosted by Liane Hansen, former host of NPR’s Weekend Special Edition, the show will feature a lively mix of chorus favorites—Broadway hits, a Beatles medley, rousing patriotic numbers, rock and roll, uplifting spiritual songs, and—to celebrate the first decade of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus—”The Best of Times.”
SAVE THE DATE! ▼
Sheila Madon is a founding member of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus and on their communications team.