The Pamlico Chorale

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THE PAMLICO CHORALE

Monday night is music night in Pamlico County when The Pamlico Chorale meets at the Oriental Methodist Church Fellowship Hall at 7 PM to rehearse for whatever community event is next on their busy schedule. The purpose of the Chorale is simply the enjoyment of singing and the pleasure of sharing music with others. It began in 1989 with twenty singers and now includes about seventy men and women, a congenial mix of native North Carolinians and transplants from other states and countries who have been welcomed to the pleasant life in Eastern North Carolina. Many, but not all, have sung in a choir or chorus at another time and place; few are trained musicians. Director of the Chorale is Reba Tiller of Whortonsville. The Chorale is a non-profit volunteer organization funded by The Pamlico County Arts Council and private donations. Newcomers to Pamlico County are always welcome to come to a rehearsal or two and then, if they enjoy it, to join the group.

The Chorale's first performance was a program of Christmas music for Oriental's Spirit of Christmas Celebration in 1989. That began a tradition of community service, and the Chorale has presented the finale of the Celebration each year since that time. Chorale members are all active and busy people, in retirement or part of the work force, so it is a rare occasion when all can gather for a given performance. However, they usually participate in Oriental's Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, Pamlico County's Martin Luther King Day Celebration, the Pamlico County Fair and the Croaker Festival in July whenever possible, they take their music and smiles to nursing home residents.

Several years ago, The Pamlico Chorale had the pleasure of joining other choruses from nearby counties in a production of Broadway music at the Cherry Point Marine Air Station theater. The ensemble was directed by a Professor of Music from East Carolina University. The experience encouraged the Chorale to consider such a program on their own, but it was not until the Old Theater in Oriental was renovated and became Pamlico County Cultural Center that "Pamlico Chorale Sings Broadway" was presented to enthusiastic audiences on two evenings in April of that year.

A tradition was born and each year, on an April weekend, the Chorale presents it's concert on the stage of The Old Theater. Since it is a non-profit organization, only the costs of the production need to be covered, so the ticket price is kept to a minimum. The Old Theater is at Broad and Church Streets in Oriental and is an easy walk from the harbor, the motel, the inns and the bed and breakfasts, so visitors to Oriental are urged to attend the concert.
In early April 2003, Pamlico Chorale joined four other choruses from Eastern North Carolina in a full-house performance at the 1000-seat Convention Center in New Bern; the event was a great success and, it is hoped, the beginning of an annual Music Festival for this area.

To learn more about the Chorale, telephone Marj Winter at 919-249-2570 or Reba Tiller at 919-249-2475. If you are a visitor or a newcomer in Pamlico County, stop by rehearsal on Monday evening and introduce yourself. The Methodist Church is at the corner of Church, Freemason, and Factory Streets, just a few blocks from the harbor or from any of the overnight accommodations in town. You will be most welcome.

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