Alexis Renee Ward

The Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS) is thrilled to announce that Alexis Renee Ward has accepted its offer to become the new Artistic Director of the Easton Choral Arts Society. The ECAS Board of Directors accepted the recommendation of its Search Committee on September 15 and announced her appointment at the start of their September 20 rehearsal. Chosen from six highly qualified applicants, Ward earned her Bachelor of Music (Theory and Composition) in 2010 and her Master of Music (Choral Conducting) in 2012 from the University of Delaware. Not only is she an accomplished church musician, but also a celebrated leader of community choruses and an accomplished composer (www.alexisreneeward.com).

Ward will lead the Easton Choral Arts Society singers in two concerts in December at Christ Church Easton. The concert program, to be titled Christmas Around the World, will feature seasonal choral arrangements in many styles including a selection of pieces whose origins lie in various countries around the world. The other songs will include favorites such as “We Need a Little Christmas, “’ Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and a surprise closing number. Becky Zinser, the talented ECAS accompanist, will be joined by a selection of supporting instrumentalists. The concert dates are Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m. Tickets will soon be available through the ECAS website: eastonchoralarts.org.

ECAS President Phil Sayre and Search Committee Chair Carol Harrison worked quickly with several board members and accompanist Becky Zinser to thoroughly vet and personally interview the six candidates who were extended invitations to audition for the position following their application. Harrison comments, “We are truly thrilled that Alexis has accepted the position. Her depth of experience with leading community choral groups is extensive and will prove invaluable to ECAS.

Ward currently serves as Director of Music at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware; Artistic Director of the Chester River Chorale in Chestertown; and Creator/Co-Founder of the Sonus School of Music. She resides in North Delaware with her husband Thomas and daughters Hazel and Raegan.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot Arts, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

Summer is flying by, while ECAS searches for a new director to replace Wes Lockfaw. In the meantime, the ECAS music committee has chosen the program for December’s “Christmas Around the World” concert. Rehearsals will begin on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., starting August 23 at Christ Church in Easton. However, ECAS is not a church choir.

Three experienced choral directors from among the singers will manage sectional and group rehearsals until a new director is in place. Since August is early to start rehearsals, new members will be welcomed through September 13.

The first two rehearsals will be “open” meaning anyone interested in trying the chorus out may attend – either to observe or to sing along. Music will be provided. Email [email protected] for more information or to reserve a packet of music to sing along to. Participants will also receive a list of the songs with listening links and YouTube links.

The program includes long-time favorites like “We Need a Little Christmas” and “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and a choral telling of “The Night Before Christmas” poem by Clement Moore, complete with illustrations on two large TV screens.

Pictured is the Easton Choral Arts Society which is starting its rehearsals for its Christmas concert on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., starting August 23 at Christ Church in Easton.

A portion of the concert will remind guests that Christmas is celebrated in many places and in many languages around the world. The program includes one of the earliest arrangements of “Stille Nacht” (Silent Night), an Austrian carol that turned from obscurity to a major classic, along with a traditional carol from Catalonia in Spain, “Fum, Fum, Fum.” Also, to be enjoyed is “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” one of the oldest Canadian Christmas Carols, circa 1642, which tells the Christmas story through the eyes of the indigenous Huron people. “Brightest and Best” from the American Shaker style will feature a lively fiddle solo. The choristers will close the program with “Christmas Day,” the rousing medley of Christmas songs by Gustav Holst. And that’s just to name a few!

Easton Choral Arts also sponsors a Choral Scholar program for talented student singers to sing with the group and receive a stipend to help with music lessons or other expenses. Students are chosen for the Choral Scholar Program by audition. Visit the website eastonchoralarts.org for more information or follow ECAS on Facebook. Interested persons can also sign up on the website for a monthly newsletter.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS) will present its spring concert, “Look to the Day,” on May 19 and May 22 at Christ Church Easton. The concert will fill the air with uplifting songs focusing on peace, courage, inspiration, self-betterment, and connecting with others – all featuring a wide variety of musical styles, including classical, folk, Gospel, Broadway, and even Caribbean, accompanied by Conga drums.

“We’re stepping a little out of our comfort zone with an arrangement of Harry Belafonte’s Caribbean-style ‘Turn the World Around’ and a joyous Gospel arrangement of ‘Amazing Grace,’ featuring a rousing piano part for Becky Zinser, ECAS talented accompanist. It’s a very different program for a group used to singing mostly classical music. And it’s fun!” states Terri Wroten, board member of the ECAS and soprano section captain.

Pictured is Easton Choral Arts Society which will present its spring concert, “Look to the Day” on May 19 and May 22 at Christ Church Easton.

Easton Choral Arts Society is thrilled to be back again in person following its in-person holiday concert. When planning for the spring 2022 concert, the selection committee decided to use some of their favorite music which had been planned for a “hope concert” scheduled for last spring which had to be canceled due to the complexities of virtual rehearsals and licensing issues.

Among the featured songs will be the seemingly ageless Christian hymn “Amazing Grace,” which was first published in 1779. Its poignant text came to life seven years earlier, by the hand of English poet and clergyman John Newton. This spiritual found popularity in the United States through Baptist and Methodist preachers, who often chose it to be performed at their services. And years later, it would become well-known as the anthem of the Civil Rights movement – despite its author being a former slave trader.

Other featured songs, include “Let the River Run” composed by Carly Simon as the theme song of the movie Working Girl. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1989. “Choose Something Like a Star” was composed by Randall Thompson for his well-loved “Frostiana” song collection. The song features lyrics by the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert Frost.

Two songs with international influences include “Turn the World Around,” a Calypso-style piece by Harry Belafonte, replete with conga drums, and songs from The Lion King, which uses two African languages. The music of The Lion King was written by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, who, early in his career, collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber on many Broadway musicals.  The Lion King musical won six Tony Awards.

The “Look to the Day” Concert will be held on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 at 4:00 p.m. at Christ Church Easton. Tickets are $25 each and students are free with a reservation. Visit eastonchoralarts.org or phone the ticket hotline at 410-200-0498.

Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot Arts, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is an auditioned choral ensemble that believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences, and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

Easton Choral Arts announces auditions for its Choral Scholars program for the 2021-2022 concert season.   The program is open to gifted student vocalists in 9th grade through college.  This season, Easton Choral Arts will present a Christmas concert featuring the music of John Rutter (December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and December 5 at 4 p.m.) and a spring concert featuring music from a range of music styles and periods (April 28, 7:30 p.m. and May 1, 4 p.m.).  Students who successfully audition receive $1,000 for the season ($500 per semester).  Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton.  To learn more or to schedule an audition, contact [email protected].  You may also visit the website at www.eastonchoralarts.org.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is an auditioned choral ensemble that believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences, and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

The Easton Choral Arts Society

Artistic director Wes Lockfaw, accompanist Becky Zinser, singers from the Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS), instrumentalists including an oboist, a trumpeter, and string players will come together in a virtual concert entitled “A Bridge to Beyond” on May 20 and 23. The concert theme is based on songs of hope to help see us through the pandemic.

Opening with “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the repertoire includes popular songs, spirituals, gospel, Broadway and classical. Included among the songs in the concert are “Winter’s on the Wing” from The Secret Garden, “What a Wonderful World,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, and the rousing gospel work, “The Storm is Passing Over.” While the concert format changed during COVID-19, ECAS continues to strive to reach choral music lovers in the region and beyond.

Jacqui Yeatman, a singer with the Easton Choral Arts Society, records for the virtual spring concert.

Creating virtual concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a challenge for many arts organizations. When planning for the spring 2021 ECAS concert, Artistic Director Wes Lockfaw decided that singers and musicians needed to record individually to create the virtual format. Beginning in January, Lockfaw worked with a group of 20 choristers to prepare the music.  Each singer learned his or her part at home and individually with the assistance of practice tracks prepared by Lockfaw, Terri Wroten, soprano; Carol Harrison, alto; and Christopher Wroten, baritone.  Periodically voice sections got together via Zoom and worked on difficult passages in the music.  The voices and instrumentation were melded at Mid-South Audio in Milton, Delaware to create the final concert, “A Bridge to Beyond,” which will be presented virtually on May 20 and 23.

The concert is free and a request for the link for either Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon is on the ECAS website eastonchoralarts.org. A free-will offering would be appreciated to help cover the technical costs of the concert. Easton Choral Arts Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization funded in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Auditions for Easton Choral Arts Society are ongoing and people can get more information on the website eastonchoralarts.org.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is an auditioned choral ensemble that believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences, and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore.

Kickstart your Christmas season with a complimentary digital streaming concert from Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS). Listeners will be treated to a variety of memorable choral music from past Christmas concerts. The program will feature such favorite sacred pieces as “Christmas Fidelis,” “Prepare Ye, African Star Carol,” “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Arise Your Light Has Come”. In addition, featured secular works will include “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride,” “The Christmas Waltz,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “The Very Best Time of Year” and “Christmastime”.

Easton Choral Arts will send a link ahead of time for everyone to enjoy the concert on their computer or smart TV on Thursday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m. To receive the link please request a ticket on the ECAS website, eastonchoralarts.org. The concerts will also be available beginning December 14 on the ECAS website. All of this will be free of charge. A free will offering would be greatly appreciated.

Support is provided by Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Kickstart your Christmas season with an exciting free present from Easton Choral Arts Society (ECAS). At this time during the pandemic, because ECAS is unable to sing in person for the holidays, the chorus will share songs from its past concert treasury through complimentary digital streaming for the public’s enjoyment. The chorus will visit memory lane with a newly-mastered digital online concert presentation of “Christmas Memories” featuring favorite songs from previous holiday shows.

Listeners will be treated to a variety of memorable choral music from past Christmas concerts. The program will feature such favorite sacred pieces as Christmas Fidelis, Prepare Ye, African Star Carol, Shepherd’s Pipe Carol, Little Drummer Boy, and Arise Your Light Has Come. In addition, featured secular works will include Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Waltz, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, We Need a Little Christmas, The Very Best Time of Year, and Christmastime.

Pictured is the Easton Choral Arts Society which will present a free newly-mastered digital online concert presentation of “Christmas Memories.”

Easton Choral Arts Society will send a link ahead of time for everyone to enjoy the concert on their computer or smart TV on Thursday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m. The concerts will also be available beginning December 10 on the ECAS website. All of this will be free of charge, although the chorus is requesting donations. To receive the concert link, visit eastonchoralarts.org.

“Though our chorus has not been able to present a live concert this fall or for Christmas, we continue in our mission to bring the joy of choral music to our audience throughout the region.  This concert will feature the best of Easton Choral Arts Society from the 2014 through the 2017 seasons. While our format may have changed during COVID-19, we continue to strive to reach choral music lovers in our region and beyond,” states Maestro Wes Lockfaw.

For further information, visit eastonchoralarts.org. Support is provided by Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Talbot County Arts Council, and the Maryland State Arts Council.

The Easton Choral Arts Society is an auditioned choral ensemble which believes in the power of music to enrich the cultural life of the Eastern Shore. Under the direction of the pre-eminent Artistic Director, Wes Lockfaw, ECAS brings a commitment to deliver excellence to our singers, audiences and supporters. While the group is based in Easton, its singers come from all areas of the Eastern Shore