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Chorus becomes ‘Voices’

Posted on December 8, 2011December 8, 2011 by Staff

Voices’ 25-member ensemble, Cantari. Photo by John Paul Middlesworth
By Caroline Corrigan
Staff Writer
Over the past three decades, the Chapel Hill Community Chorus has grown exponentially in both size and quality, comprising a 130-member chorus, as well as a 25-member ensemble that was added five years ago.

But many members felt the chorus’ name did not accurately reflect its evolution over the years, resulting in the decision to change the chorus’ name to “Voices” this past fall.

“We felt that the name itself did not reflect the quality of the group,” said Sue Klausmeyer, conductor of the chorus since 2000. “People hear ‘community chorus’ and think amateurs.”

The chorus is far from a group of amateurs, however.

Victor Recondo, a distinguished pianist and educator who taught choral music at Graham and Phillips Junior High, started the chorus in 1980 when he invited faculty members to join with students and parents in a Christmas concert. The group gradually evolved into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Chorus – later renamed the Chapel Hill Community Chorus – under the leadership of Betsy Underwood, who served as president of the fledgling nonprofit organization.

After becoming a part of the Community Schools Program, the chorus evolved into an adult, non-auditioned ensemble, performing challenging classical pieces twice a year at various locations in Chapel Hill.

Today the chorus has developed strong ties with UNC and local public schools, businesses, churches and philanthropic sources, like Strowd Roses Foundation and the Orange Couty Arts Council. Each year, the group performs two major concerts per season in December and May, as well as a “lighter” performance during its annual July concert.

The chorus’ 25-member ensemble, Cantari, became a part of the chorus in 2006. Because of its growth, chorus members are now required to audition for a spot.

“Auditions have become very important,” said Voices president Bill Kodros. “But if they’ve done some chorus singing or singing in general, then they normally get in if there are enough slots open.”

Kodros added that the Voices Summer Chorus, a six-week program, is a great opportunity for community members interested in getting involved with the group.

“The summer chorus is much more relaxed and the music is a little simpler,” he said. “It also gives Dr. Klausmeyer an opportunity to get to know these people and what they can do, and most will be taken into the main chorus in the fall.”

Though the change to the chorus’ name was made official just recently, Kodros said the decision has been an ongoing discussion for the past three years.

“Even though our quality had improved, we still noticed a bunch of concerts that weren’t well-attended,” he said. “We began checking with people who follow the music scene closely, and we realized that many of them had never even heard of us at all.”

Board members recognized that the group’s publicity problems were a result of ineffective marketing, but they were unsure of how to resolve this issue.

The solution revealed itself about a year ago when Jonathan Prinz, the next-door neighbor of one of the chorus members, agreed to help the group free of charge.

Prinz, an expert on branding, spent the next year guiding the chorus through a marketing process. Chorus members were surveyed about how they felt toward the former name, how they felt about being in the chorus and if they felt that the name represented them well. Audience members, donors and members of the music department were interviewed as well. Voices was finally suggested as the group’s new name and was favored by an overwhelming majority of members.

“A one-word name is very easy to use in a logo, and it quickly communicates what we are,” said Klausmeyer.

Though the name change has only been in place for a couple of months, Klausmeyer said that, thus far, it seems to be effective.

“It is concise, well designed and it works out well in publicity,” she said. “We think it’s a good one for us.”

Kodros added that the new name’s success will become more apparent after the chorus completes its December concert series.

“It’s too early to tell now, but a lot of the advertising and marketing we are going to do will be concentrated on our first concerts in December,” he said. “We’ll know more after this concert year.”

Despite the multitude of changes the chorus has undergone, it has remained an organization known for its camaraderie and local connection, and is still governed, operated and financially supported by local chorus members.

“I love working with choral music and I love the Chapel Hill area,” said Klausmeyer. “The chorus has something for everyone to enjoy.”

The chorus’ ensemble, Cantari, will be performing “From Heaven on High” on Saturday at Chapel of the Cross of Chapel Hill at 7:30 p.m. Voices will be performing “A New World Christmas” on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.

1 thought on “Chorus becomes ‘Voices’”

  1. Laura Linnan says:
    December 8, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    Just want to clarify that the 130-member chorus will be performing “A New World Christmas” concert on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.at Hill Hall, on the UNC Campus. We hope to see you at the concert!

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