Community chorus groups looking for new members


For townspeople whose New Year’s resolution is to get a hobby, there are two perfect opportunities in 2019 to take up singing.

Entering its 70th season, rehearsals for the Jamestown Community Chorus begin Jan. 14. B.J. Whitehouse, now in his 30th year as director, will conduct the spring production titled “Director’s Choice: Thirty Years of Favorites.”

Founded in 1949 by Rita Murray, more than 400 singers have performed under four directors through six decades. The secular chorus is accompanied by pianist Dawn Chung. Rehearsals are from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at Central Baptist Church, 99 Narragansett Ave.

For singers who want to perform in an informal setting, Whitehouse also has scheduled auditions for the Jamestown Everybody Chorus. As an offshoot to the community chorus, Whitehouse said this ensemble is perfect for people who want to experience singing in a low-stress environment.

“I want to encourage everyone to sing,” Whitehouse said after founding the troupe in summer 2017. “The chorus is affording an opportunity for everybody who has been told that they can’t sing or shouldn’t sing. We’ve created an opportunity where that’s no longer true. You can sing, you should sing and you’re able to sing with us.”

The everybody chorus will present “On Broadway” in 2019, a production that will run the gamut of the Great White Way, from “Oklahoma,” the 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, to “Hamilton,” the 2015 musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda that incorporates hip-hop. Beginning Jan. 12, rehearsals are from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays at the recreation center, 41 Conanicut Ave.

There are no auditions for either chorus. To learn more, call Whitehouse at 423-1574.