Festival Success!
We’re still glowing after our first Huntsville Choral Festival!
It was a tremendous undertaking, but the reviews are in and HMC’s first Choral Festival was, in a word, joyous.
More than 100 musicians joined forces to make beautiful music under an incredible conductor, Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand. We premiered Remel Derrick’s inspired work, “Nothing But Love,” and had the chance to share the joy with this inspired composer. We had so much fun, we're already making plans for Huntsville Choral Festival II in June 2023!
What people are saying
That was just wonderful! So enjoyable. The practice and talent was evident. - Val
Oh my! What a triumph last evening was... A gift to the community, well attended and appreciated. What an outstanding group of people it took to make something this wonderful. - An admirer, Debbie
That was spectacular! - Harriett
Lift Every Voice and Sing was just glorious!…All the performances by every group, soloist, and instrumentalist was outstanding. - Jill
The performance was beautiful, uplifting, moving and wonderful. Of course Dr. Ferdinand's energy and expertise was a joy to experience. Several pieces performed brought tears to my eyes--truly a spiritual experience for me. - Karin
Thanks to everyone involved in making the Festival this weekend such a great event… I enjoyed singing and hope to be able to sing with you again. Thanks so much. - Bob
Thank you for this past weekend. I had a wonderful time, and felt so validated and appreciated by all of you!...Thank you for choosing Nothing But Love as the winner of the composition contest, I will always be grateful! My prayer is that God will continue to allow you and the very fine Huntsville Master Chorale to prosper and flourish in the great community of Huntsville! - Remel Derrick, 2022 Composition Contest Winner
What? You Missed It?
Here are a few highlights. Have a listen!
Nothing But Love - https://youtu.be/1wQphfDkicQ
How Can I Keep from Singing - https://youtu.be/1pyqEf5Ieko
I Stood on the River Jordan - https://youtu.be/L-Sjob21GAs
Here’s What We’re Looking Forward To
Plans are underway for Huntsville Choral Festival II. We had an amazing time with Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand, and we’re looking forward to next year’s guest conductor, Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock. Dr. Murdock is an internationally known conductor/clinician and 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year – stay tuned for more on this exciting opportunity for area singers and audiences!
The Composition Contest is back for the 6th year. We’ll again accept entries from all over the country and premier the winning work at Huntsville Choral Festival II. Submissions will be accepted through February 28, 2023. Details at HMC Choral Composition Contest.
One More Thank You!
To all of you who supported the Huntsville Master Chorale during our virtual seasons, we are so grateful. To everyone who kicked their heels up at Mosaic of Love last fall, or heard our outdoor performances, kudos. And to all who attended concerts, submitted compositions in our annual contest, dropped dollars into donation baskets, or participated in HMC’s first Choral Festival, thanks a million.
Wow. A lot happened this year, for sure, and we’re grateful you chose to be a part of it!
It's Official - We Have a Winner in our 2020-21 Composition Contest!
Thanks for another fabulous Mosaic 
A huge thank you to all who came out to support our return to the stage. It felt great to pull out our party wear and perform swing classics to get everyone moving. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Musical Inspiration in Times of Trouble
| Musical Inspiration in Times of Trouble
An Interview with HMC Member and Composer, Dennis Clements |
HMC's final virtual performance for the 2020-2021 season, composed by member Dennis Clements, contains both a plea to God to extend peace to us and an exhortation to extend our peace to other. Dona Nobis Pacem Tuam (Give Us Your Peace) beautifully captures the idea that despite our current times of trouble, peace is always worth seeking and always worth giving.Read more
Sara's Recollections
Recollections by Charter Member, Sara McDaris
As avid listeners of choral music, we feel fortunate to participate in this most rewarding activity. It was not always so in our community. Prior to 1998, only church choirs and the Huntsville Community Chorus offered choral singing, along with developing musical programs at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. But now, twenty years later, several excellent choral groups exist in the Tennessee Valley.Read more