Kearsarge Chorale will present its mid-winter program “Laughter and Tears,” under the
artistic direction of Alex Ager, on Sunday, January 25 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of
Fatima Church in New London (with a snow date of February 1 at same time and
place). The concert will include some light-hearted numbers as well as more serious
ones. The latter include “Requiem” by John Rutter with a chamber orchestra and Hannah
Shanefield as soprano soloist and Into the Light, an exciting contemporary composition
by Jake Runestad, also with orchestra. Lighter pieces include “The Argument” and “Missi
Di Poli Woli Doodle”.
This January program is a deviation from our past practice, moving the traditional
November concert to the new year in order to provide Chorale members more rehearsal
time for the ambitious program. Weekly evening rehearsals began on Labor Day under
the direction of artistic director Alex Ager with collaborative pianist Joe Henderson, and
many of the nearly 40 choristers also met in mid-December for a “Super Saturday” all-
day rehearsal to learn and prepare the several musical offerings. For audience
members accustomed to a fall concert, the Chorale’s appearance on December 31 at
“New Year’s New London,” organized by the Center for the Arts, was a welcome event
with both seasonal music and a teaser from the upcoming concert.
Singers this year come together to rehearse in New London from area towns including
Andover, Bradford, Salisbury, New London, Elkins, Goshen, Sunapee, Sutton, Newbury
and Newport. The Kearsarge Chorale offers a sense of community to audience and
singers alike, guided by chair Linda, Barnes, the group’s fifth such leader since its
incorporation in 2009 and one of its original singers.
Follow the Chorale on their website and on Facebook, and join your neighbors on
Sunday, January 25, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in New London. Advance sale
tickets at $15 each (students free) are available on the Chorale’s website
(www.kearsargechorale.org), from Chorale members and at Tatewell Gallery and
Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London. Tickets at the door will be $20 each.