The Huntsville Community Chorus Association

Huntsville’s first performing arts organization was established in 1946. Incorporated as the Huntsville Community Chorus Association (HCCA), it is a non-profit, all-volunteer community organization.  HCCA strives to offer the best in choral music and musical theater.  HCCA provides learning opportunities for children and young adults through scholarships and sponsorship of the Huntsville Community Children’s Chorus (HC3), the Madrigal Singers,  and other ensembles/activities.  Take a look at our repertoire, in a listing of major works, or organized by composer or by title. 

Our community outreach includes mentoring relationships with experienced performers and craftsmen in all aspects of musical performance and production.We also cherish our senior citizens and seek their input into our selection of musical and theatrical masterpieces.  Membership in TheChorus is by audition, usually held in the summer prior to the beginning of the fall season.  HCCA performs classical, contemporary, and light musical concerts in three concert settings each season.  Additionally, there is a musical theater production in the summer.
 
Director/Conductor BILLY ORTON
Billy Orton has been Music Director/Conductor of the Huntsville Community Chorus since 2002.  Under his leadership, TheChorus has grown in numbers and artistic impact upon the community.  Marked by an energetic and creative approach to music-making, concerts are well received by a growing audience.  A wide-ranging repertoire is characteristic of the organization.

As Chorus Master for HSO concerts, Billy has prepared groups for Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto in highly acclaimed performances of Haydn’s The Creation, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Ravel’s Daphnes and Chloe, Mahler’s Symphony #3, Debussy’s Trois Nocturnes, Holst’s The Planets, and Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor.  This year, Billy started rehearsals in July to prepare singers to join HSO for its season opener, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.  Most, if not all, of the singers for these symphony chorus presentations are selected from the members of the HCC. 

Billy was honored in November of 2006 by serving as Guest Conductor for the Madison County Honor Choir Festival (SSA group) and will serve in 2007 as the Guest Conductor for the Huntsville Choral Directors’ All City Chorus (SATB and Middle School Mixed).  He has been conductor for several All State choral competitions, groups for numerous performances of regional organizations, including performances by the Huntsville Brass Band, Pointe Station, Inc., and Ars Nova.  He has prepared and conducted church and community music groups in performances of such major works as Handel’s Messiah , Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Vaughan Williams’ Hodie.

Billy serves as Minister of Music and Worship at Huntsville’s First Baptist Church (FBC) where he administers a diverse program of music ministries with more than 25 choirs, instrumental groups and ensembles.  He recently served as elected vice-president for the Baptist Church Music Conference.  In addition to his role as a worship leader, he also conducts three choirs (youth, adult and senior adult) and the orchestra of the church.  The special presentations by the FBC Music Ministry such as the Living Christmas Tree and the Spring/Easter concerts are enjoyed by thousands in this area.

He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Jane, who is a social worker and therapist.  They have two grown children, John and Mary.

Photo Copyright Walt Tyszka 2006

---

HCCA Administration

Managing the direction (as well as the day-to-day operations) of an organization the size and magnitude of TheChorus is a daunting task for any group of talented individuals.  Currently HCCA is an all-volunteer organization in participation as well as management.  Our management team is driven by the true love of choral singing and musical theatre, and devotion to making the organization work.  A majority of the team are active members of the chorus, often performing in multiple groups.  They chair committees, attend various meetings and most work full-time.  We greatly appreciate their time and effort supporting TheChorus.
 

Executive Board Officers:

2006-2007 Season (fiscal year July-June)

 

President                            Lindsey Giambrone

First Vice-President             Terry Jarnigan

Second Vice-President         Madolyn Rives

Secretary                            Marcia Connell

Treasurer                             Peggy Shirley

Corresponding Secretary/     Marie Sexton

Chorus Liaison        

 

Operational Team:

 

Executive Director                Elaine Hubbard

Marketing Director                Dean Hudson
Administrative Directors        Lynn Rudow

                                                Bob Gustafson

Production Director              Micki Lighthall

 

All Executive Board and Operational Team members can be reached by calling the chorus office at 256-533-6606 or via email– info@thechorus.org

---

The HCC Chamber Chorale

The Chamber Chorale is a 30-voice, select ensemble auditioned from the larger membership of TheChorus and involves some of Huntsville's finest musicians.   It is dedicated to the performance of repertoire best suited to the smaller choral ensemble and provides an added dimension to the musical opportunities available through HCCA.  The Chamber Chorale is led by co-directors Billy Orton and Randall Fields and accompanist Julian Bryson.

The Chamber Chorale has been featured on most of the recent concerts by TheChorus, and has performed in collaboration with ANOTHER elite musical group in our city, the Huntsville Chamber Winds.  In February of 2008 the Chamber Chorale recorded a selection to be included in a new release by Altissimo Records. 

Please note these upcoming presentations by The HCC Chamber Chorale:

August 22, 2008---Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue

                   The HCC Chamber Chorale and the Huntsville    
                   Chamber Winds deliver a free concert - at First Baptist 
                   Church - 7:30 PM 
     

---

                   
 

Directed by Suzanne Purtee

The Huntsville Community Children's Chorus (HC3) is comprised
of two ensembles, HC3 and HC3Jr.  Instruction and rehearsals for both groups are held late Monday afternoons throughout the school year. 

HC3, directed by Suzanne Purtee, is open to singers in grades 4 through 9.  Singers between 3rd and 5th grade may participate (without audition) in the HC3Jr directed by Lea Hoppe.  Both ensembles offer children the opportunity to develop strong musical and vocal skills.   

HC3 and HC3Jr are currently accepting new members for the spring semester of 2007.  All children interested in singing should contact the main chorus office at 256-533-6606, or email info@thechorus.org.

For more information about rehearsal criteria and upcoming events, please click here to go to the Children's chorus page.




For more information and to schedule auditions, please call Suzanne Purtee at 256-533-2455 ext. 216 or contact her by email: suzanne.purtee@nativity-hsv.org  or suzanne.purtee@gmail.com .

For HC3Jr please call Lea Hoppe at 256-880-2716

---

Musical Theatre

If you enjoy musical theatre and melodrama, our talent pool extends into these realms as well.  Each year, a fully-staged Broadway musical and a dinner theatre melodrama are produced.  The stage musicals are award-winning productions and are staffed with many of TheChorus singers, from Directors to lead, supporting, and chorus roles.  Our shows are the talk fo the town!

For more information please call our office at 533-6606 Monday -

Friday from 9-3. 

For the melodrama dinner theatre, this year TheChorus presents Gold Fever.