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Delaware County |
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Delaware County once had a large and active chorus through at least the 1960s. Although a few ladies have sung with Madison County in recent years, voices from Delaware basically became silent. Several ‘seeds’ were planted and they sang with Blackford chorus until a time and place finally became available and the Delaware County Chorus was re-established in September of 2009! In its initial year the Delaware Chorus has already performed for Bluebird Days in Selma, Washington Street Festival in Muncie, IEHA Area 7 Extension Clubs Retreat, Delaware Clubs Christmas Party, Kiwanis and local church programs. The Delaware and Blackford ladies rehearse separately but often combine for programs, which has been a boost to both clubs! In addition to the annual Melody Makers repertoire, selections are often added to accommodate special programs…and keep the ladies on their toes! Karen Bartling is the director. She performs in several local vocal and instrumental groups, is a private instructor, and has directed the Blackford chorus for ten years. Karen is interested in the history of the original chorus and has received a few pictures and old music from family members of previous singers. Accompanist is Madalyn Ayers, retired music teacher , is also a church musician, private instructor and co-director of another local chorus with Karen. Let’s get east central Indiana singing again! Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1707 East 26th Street, in Muncie. Directions: The church is one block north of SR 67 & 3 South, which is easily accessible from the Muncie Bypass and near Wal-Mart South and Muncie Southside High School.
Ladies from Delaware County and the surrounding counties are invited to join us! |
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Lots to do in Delaware County too! |
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From “Club News from the Delaware County Connections” June/July 2010
Wow — the objective was to share beautiful Melody Maker music and fun, and the New Edition of the Delaware County Extension Chorus has been doing just that! Since the retreat last August, the ladies have made more than 15 appearances! In addition to the Delaware County Holiday Party, they have sung for senior citizens‘ dinners (High Street, Gethsemane, Yorktown, and Avondale UMC), Selma Bluebird Days, Kiwanis Valentine Party, John 23rd Retreat Center, and nursing homes. The ladies have been flexible to changing programs and attire for the occasion — from holiday snowflakes and Valentine red to summer garden hats for the Yorktown Mother-Daughter Tea. In April, the chorus sang ―Prayer of the Children‖ and then led the audience in “We are the World” for the Child Abuse Vigil held at City Hall. Our audiences have ranged from a dozen persons at the nursing home to more than 100 in attendance, totaling around 1,000. The Delaware ladies joined by the Blackford chorus are appearing first on the Festival line-up at Purdue (Wednesday, June 9 at 10 a.m.). Anyone who attends conference is invited to watch the individual choruses during the day, and of course every one is invited to the Festival Concert that night in Elliott Hall of Music. The summer schedule includes the St. Paul‘s UMC Community Lunch (we seem to eat well!) on July 23, Selma Bluebird Days, and of course, the August District 7 Retreat. Several Delaware singers participated in the area rehearsals (150+ singers) at Rochester and Terre Haute with State Director Dr. Scott Buchanan. In addition to the Purdue concert, the Melody Makers State Chorus will sing at State Fair on Sunday, August 15, at the Farm Bureau Auditorium. A select group will sing at the Indiana Statehouse on October 5 for Arts Recognition Day. All of the Delaware singers are new to the Extension program, so if the chorus had only one member from each club, it would triple in size (and fun)! Director Karen Bartling has directed Blackford County for the past 10 years. Accompanist Madalyn Ayers has also filled in for Blackford‘s pianist this year. Both ladies bring lots of musical experience to the group. Anyone who would like to sing or needs a program can contact Karen at the Muncie Music Center: 284-4481. Check out the website, www.melodymakersofindiana.com and come sing with us! — Karen Bartling, Director |
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DELAWARE COUNTY’S HISTORY |
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THE SONGBIRDS ARE SOARING
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