Granite State Choral Society has shared its joy of singing and love of music with friends and neighbors since 1974. Music from various time periods and cultures has been sung by the chorus, including Broadway tunes, folk songs from around the world, and many classical works.
Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” – May 20-21, 2017
GSCS presented this exciting program with guest choir, Sandpipers Seacoast Children’s Choir and soloists, Dana Varga, Soprano, and Ron Williams, Baritone.
This was a true masterwork of twentieth-century choral music, drawing its texts from Latin and German medieval poetry. The music
was whimsical, dramatic, playful, powerful, humorous, and at times, downright bawdy (don’t say we didn’t warn you!). We joined forces with professional soloists and a battery of percussion to create a colorful tapestry of sound and rhythm the audience will not soon forget.
“Sing the Joy, Ring the Season” – December 9-10, 2017
Granite State Choral Society with Daniel Roihl, Music Director and Granite State Ringers with Joan Fossum, Director presented “Sing the Joy, Ring the Season”.
We celebrated the sounds of Christmas on December 9, 2017 at the First Congregational Church in Farmington, NH, and December 10, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, Rochester, NH, as we joined with the Granite State Ringers Bell Choir to bring the Joy of Christmas to life with lively arrangements of new and well-known carols and seasonal favorites.
All Through The Night – April 23-24, 2016
This exciting program celebrated night through music in a wide variety of styles and time periods. More than just that period of darkness from sunset to sunrise, night is a time for peace and silence, contemplation and love, dreams and wishes, and fears and hope. Join us as we reminisce about yesterday and wonder about tomorrow “All Through the Night”.
A Salute To Veterans – November 19-20, 2016
This exciting program featured patriotic numbers, battle anthems from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras, remembrances of the fallen, and songs and prayers for peace. Member of the American Legion Post 114, Barrington, NH posted the colors at the start of the evening, followed by a performance by The NH Hibernian Pipes and Drums. The full chorus and the Chamber singers lead the audience through a range of emotions with pieces such as “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “The Vacant Chair”, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”, “The White Cliffs of Dover”, “In Flanders Fields”, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, and many more patriotic and wartime songs. And a portion of proceeds was donated to the American Legion Post 114 to support veteran’s causes.
River Stones, Rails and Renaissance: A Rochester Retrospective – March 28, 2015
A musical celebration of Rochester’s history commissioned by the Granite State Choral Society and composed by Concord, NH based, Grammy-nominated composer Nicholas White, “Rochester” is a five-movement musical piece that will highlight historic persons, events, and landmarks of Rochester – even as it presents the steady growth and renewal the city is known for, using original text written specifically for the work.
A Rochester Retrospective – May 15, 2015
In Concert Together: Strafford Wind Symphony, directed by Bruce Gatchell and Granite State Choral Society, directed by Dan Roihl. This joint performance with the Strafford Wind Symphony showcased the over 65 combined years of music legacy by both of the city’s musical gems currently present in the Lilac City. GSCS reprised the newly commissioned work “Rochester” premiered at their March 28th Gala, River Stones, Rails and Renaissance: A Rochester Retrospective along with a selection of accompanying pieces from NH composers.
Wondrous Love – November 21-22, 2015
This upbeat and eclectic program celebrated the many facets and moods of love, both divine and human, through music in a wide variety of styles and time periods, including classical, gospel, jazz, shapenote, Broadway, and popular hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
This upbeat and eclectic program celebrated the many facets and moods of love, both divine and human, through music in a wide variety of styles and time periods, including classical, gospel, jazz, shapenote, Broadway, and popular hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Music of the Isles: A Celebration of Celtic Music, British Folk Songs and Other Island Music – May 3 and 4, 2014
The program featured All Things Bright and Beautiful by Rutter, A Welsh Lullaby arr. by Scott, Irish Tune for Mixed Choir arr. by Grainger, A Miner’s Life by S. Houston, Baby Yetu from “Calling All Dawns” by Kigiri/Tin, and more, accompanied by instrumentalists.
40th Anniversary Commemorative Concert: Handel’s Messiah Dec 13 and 14, 2014
A performance to commemorate the first time GSCS ever performed and the work presented, the program featured selected choral and aria pieces from Parts the First, Second and Third, with 4 soloists and accompanied by instrumentalists
¡CANTA! – May 4 and 5, 2013
The program featured Misa Criolla, a folk mass based on rhythms and traditions of Hispanic America, by Ariel Ramirez; Vamos a Bailar by Davison; Yo le canto todo el dia by Brunner; Oy es dia de placer arr. by Noblett, music by Pascual; Oye by Papoulis, and West Side Story Choral Suite by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, arr. by Mac Huff; accompanied by instrumentalists.
Celebration! – November 23 and 24, 2013
The program featured Mass in D Major, Op 86 by Dvorak, Celebration Psalm by Joseph M. Martin, Psalm of Celebration by Mark Hayes, Alleluia by Mark Hayes, and Christmas Pipes arr. by John Leavitt, accompanied by instrumentalists.
En Masse – F.J. Haydn and other choral selections – May 5 and 6, 2012
The program featured Haydn’s Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo (No 7 in Bb) Kleine Orgelmesse “Little Organ Mass”, L. Vierne’s Kyrie from Messe Solmenis, Il. Padre G. B. Martini’s Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina, MacPherson’s Farewell arr. by Daniel Rash, and additional selections, accompanied by chamber orchestra.
Tribute: Americana – November 17 and 18, 2012
With special guests Berwick Academy Upper School Chorus – The program featured Shenandoah arr. by Erb, What Shall We Do with A Drunken Sailor? arr. by Eddleman, Battle Hymn of the Republic arr. by Rutter, I Want to Die Easy arr. by Carter, All Good Gifts by Schwartz and more, accompanied by instrumentalists.
Broadway Cabaret! – April 30 and May 1, 2011
The program featured favorite selections from Broadway musicals, including: Les Miserables, Brigadoon, Into the Woods, Lullaby of Broadway, Rent, Guys and Dolls, and more.
Magnificat – J.S. Bach and other choral selections – December 10 and 11, 2011
The program featured J.S. Bach’s Magnificat in Eb (BVW 243a), excerpts from John Rutter’s Magnificat, and other works by Randol Alan Bass and G.F. Handel, accompanied by chamber orchestra.
Together in Concert: Two Rochesters – June 2, 4, and 5, 2010
The program included Requiem in d minor, Op 48 by Gabriel Fauré, the Coronation Anthems by G.F. Handel and traditional spirituals by William L. Dawson. The program also featured a collaboration with First United Methodist Church Choir, Rochester, NH and Rochester Choral Society, Rochester, England.
A Feast of Carols – December 4 and 5, 2010
The program included fantastic arrangements of familiar carols from composers such as John Rutter, Rachmaninoff, David Willcocks, J. Michael Haydn, Randol Alan Bass, Handel and more.
Inspirations – Haydn & Lincoln – May 16 and 17, 2009
Our Inspirations program, commemorated the bicentennial of two important historic figures. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Austrian composer Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) and the birth of American president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).
The first half of the program featured Joseph Haydn’s sacred composition Stabat Mater performed with a chamber orchestra and soloists. The second half, accompanied by Adrienne Hounsell on piano, featured many of President Lincoln’s favorite songs and other Civil War era selections interspersed with readings of Lincoln’s own words.
Gloria! Songs of Jubilation – December 12 and 13, 2009
The program included two spirituals, ‘Round the Glory Manger and Hail Mary as well as some classical repetoire such as Gloria In Excelsis by Mozart and a few choruses from Messiah (Glory to God and the Hallelujah chorus). We will also feature Gloria! and A Feast of Carols by Randol Alan Bass.
And Here’s Broadway! – April 26 and 27, 2008
The program featured medleys from several Broadway hit musicals, such as The Lion King, Les Misérables, and Wicked, plus many single hit songs, like “One” from A Chorus Line, “Memory” from Cats, “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” from Sweeney Todd, and “The Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera.
Salute to Veterans: A Musical Tribute – November 15 and 16, 2008
The program featured choral selections from each era of America’s major wars and patriotic songs. We welcomed special guests on Saturday, color guard unit from the Rochester American Legion Post #7, and on Sunday, color guard unit from the North Berwick American Legion – Quint Cheney Post #87.
Inspiration – May 5 and 6, 2007
GSCS performed two large masterworks from the choral repertoire: Joseph Haydn’s Missa in tempore belli (Mass in Time of War) and Randall Thompson’s Frostiana. The program also featured soloists from GSCS and local musicians.
A Yuletide Celebration in Story and Song – December 15 and 16, 2007
The program featured Benjamin Britten’s Saint Nicolas, a cantata featuring tenor John Coons (from the University of Southern Maine), accompanied by a chamber orchestra. The second half of the program included many favorite Yuletide carols.
A Mozart Celebration – May 6, 2006
A performance of his most celebrated choral works, the program included Mozart’s masterpiece Requiem (K. 626), the Solemn Vespers (K. 339), and his famous motet Ave verum corpus (K. 618).
A Festival of Lessons and Carols – December 16 and 17, 2006
GSCS, together with the First United Methodist Church Adult and Youth Choirs, performed A Festival of Lessons and Carols.
Selections included Once in Royal David’s City, I Wonder as I Wander, Holly and the Ivy, Away in a Manger, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow and many more.