The Chowan Community Chorus invites singers of high school and adult age of all musical backgrounds from Murfreesboro, NC, and surrounding areas to join. Rehearsals begin Monday, September 10, 2018, and are held Mondays 6:30pm-8:00pm in Briley Recital Hall.

The Chorus combines local talents with the talents of students, faculty, and staff at the University. The student choral group at Chowan will also take part. The entire experience will culminate with the Christmas concert which will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium located inside McDowell Columns Hall on the Chowan University campus. The concert will feature the Christmas cantata "What Sweeter Music" by Mark Hayes.

The Chorus is led by Dr. Benjamin Thorburn. Dr. Thorburn joined the music faculty at Chowan University in August 2016. He received his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Rochester in music, and his MPhil, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. in music history from Yale University. Prior to joining the Chowan University faculty in August of 2016, Dr. Thorburn taught at Bluefield College in Virginia for four years. Dr. Thorburn is not only passionate about teaching music, he too is a singer.

Although there are no formal auditions for the chorus, singers will be asked to meet with the director to briefly determine voice part placement. Members should have prior knowledge of music notation. Community members and students will perform alongside distinguished faculty, sharing in their love of music.

The Chowan University Community Chorus welcomes local singers to join the campus community and unite talents to create this musical event. Rehearsals are Mondays from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in Briley Recital Hall in the lower level of Daniel Hall on the Chowan University campus. Rehearsals are open to community members, faculty, staff, and students. Anyone who is interested may contact Dr. Thorburn by email (bethorburn@chowan.edu) or phone (252-398-1057) for more information.