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The Durham Chorale
We are a community-oriented group whose members are brought together by their love of singing. Robert Estes founded the Chorale in 1987 to give people in the community the opportunity to perform a variety of quality choral literature. The Chorale performs at least two concerts per year: a free-admission seasonal concert each December with sacred music from the Christian, Jewish, and other traditions, as well as popular favorites; and a spring concert with selections from Broadway, rock and roll, American classics, folk music, and spirituals. In addition to their appearances in these concerts, the Choraleers also perform in area retirement homes and other venues. Chorale members have also represented the Chorale in area arts events (the CenterFest Arts Festival and the Durham Art Walk) and in civic events (e.g., the July 4th celebration at Durham Central Park).
Our Purpose
The Chorale provides a focus on music for the purpose of enlightening and
educating participants and the community, by exposing them to a variety of choral music
and its history through public performances. We seek to educate Chorale participants in
proper choral and performance techniques. In addition, we frequently involve students from
area schools, both public and private, in our concerts.
Our Director
Melody
Zentner earned her Bachelor of Music from the Ithaca College School of Music,
where she studied voice with the late Dr. Leslie Bennett. She received her permanent
certification in Music Education at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY. She also
studied voice with the late Evelyn Klepinger of the Metropolitan Opera.
A soprano, Ms. Zentner has been soloist for the Saratoga-Potsdam Choral Institute and the Northern Choral Society, sung leading roles in many musicals (including Camelot, Guys and Dolls, Man of LaMancha, and Showboat), been a vocalist in the Frank Sacci Big Band, and performed often in churches throughout New York, before moving to Durham in 1999. Locally, she has sung with the Choral Society of Durham and the Watts Street Baptist Church Choir.
Ms. Zentner is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the North Carolina Music Teachers Association, and the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). She taught in the New York State Public School System for twenty years, consistently winning highest ratings for her choirs in State Festival and other competitions. In addition to teaching and performing, she was a NYSSMA All-State Adjudicator, Director of the South Jefferson Community Choir, Conductor of the South Jefferson Ecumenical Choir, a church choir director, and teacher in her own private voice studio. In Durham, she teaches vocal music at Durham Academy Middle School. She has been Director of the Durham Chorale since 2002. She has also directed, since 2005, the OLLI (formerly DILR) New Horizons Chorus and the Cary Junior Concert Choir.
Our Accompanist
The Chorale has a NEW accompanist!
Look for the bio of Matt Barnhill to appear soon!
The Durham Chorale's programs are made possible in part through gifts to
the Durham Arts Council Annual Arts Fund
and support from the City of Durham.
Go to www.durhamarts.org for
current class, exhibit, and event listings of the Durham Arts Council.