Our Beginnings
The Bel Air Community Chorus was first created in the fall of 2003. It was a labor of love by then Bel Air Town Commissioner James V. “Capt’n Jim” McMahan. Years earlier at the behest of then Mayor Werner Buchal, McMahan was the chairman of a group that established the Bel Air Community Band. As the Band flourished in the county seat, McMahan, a vocal musician of some acclaim, had a dream to establish a vocal group that would compliment his earlier creation. Twelve individuals made up the first Chorus that sang with the Community Band to open the Christmas season the first weekend of December 2003.
McMahan took the director’s job on a temporary basis. After the first performance, the chorus took a hiatus until Susan Brand accepted the position as Director. The Chorus was reborn in January 2006 with 40 members and began rehearsals in the basement of the Armory. Its first performance was held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in June 2006. Following this concert, the Chorus began rehearsing in the Parish House of Emmanuel Episcopal Church until it outgrew this space and is now rehearsing in Legacy Hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Bel Air. McMahan continues to be part of the Chorus, participating as the emcee for the Chorus’ Christmas, spring and summer concerts. McMahan was given the honorary title of Director Emeritus in 2007.
What We Do
The Bel Air Community Chorus rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM from September to June to prepare for at least three concerts a year: a holiday concert in December, a spring concert in April or May, and a summer concert as part of the Bel Air Summer Concert Series. Musical selections include show tunes, popular, folk, seasonal music and spirituals. We also sing at nursing homes and assisted living homes in the Bel Air area and do additional concerts at the request of community groups. The Chorus has grown to approximately 60 loyal members who love to sing. We were first accompanied by Diane Nelson, then Shisa Suskey, and currently by Jenny Anderson.
The Chorus operates under the auspices of the Bel Air Recreation Committee and is funded by the Town of Bel Air, as well as grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Harford County Government through the Harford County Cultural Arts Board.
Where We’ve Been
The Chorus has had the pleasure of entertaining on many occasions, both in and around Harford County. Formal and informal performances include Oak Crest Retirement Village, Churchville Presbyterian Sunday Services, Harford County Association of Realtors Annual Meeting, Bel Air Tree Lighting, National Anthem at Ripken Stadium, Susquehanna Bank Grand Opening, Abingdon Library Christmas Program, Church of the Good Shepherd, Old Bel Air High School Reunion, Emmanuel Episcopal Memorial Service, and Caroling on Main Street.
Current Happenings
Come to a rehearsal and check us out! You’ll find a congenial group who loves to sing, with varying levels of ability. Our members range in age from 17 to 70+. You may ask what do we have in common? Why, it’s our love of music and the desire to share it with others. Although some will say they are not talented enough to do a solo, with 59 voices surrounding you, everyone can add something to the group. It’s not too late to join our ranks for our next concert in December, 2013, 7 pm at Bel Air High School Performing Arts Center. You’ll be more than welcome to join us in the fall as we prepare for our 2013 Christmas concert! First rehearsal is Tues., Sept. 3.
The Bel Air Community Chorus was first created in the fall of 2003. It was a labor of love by then Bel Air Town Commissioner James V. “Capt’n Jim” McMahan. Years earlier at the behest of then Mayor Werner Buchal, McMahan was the chairman of a group that established the Bel Air Community Band. As the Band flourished in the county seat, McMahan, a vocal musician of some acclaim, had a dream to establish a vocal group that would compliment his earlier creation. Twelve individuals made up the first Chorus that sang with the Community Band to open the Christmas season the first weekend of December 2003.
McMahan took the director’s job on a temporary basis. After the first performance, the chorus took a hiatus until Susan Brand accepted the position as Director. The Chorus was reborn in January 2006 with 40 members and began rehearsals in the basement of the Armory. Its first performance was held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in June 2006. Following this concert, the Chorus began rehearsing in the Parish House of Emmanuel Episcopal Church until it outgrew this space and is now rehearsing in Legacy Hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Bel Air. McMahan continues to be part of the Chorus, participating as the emcee for the Chorus’ Christmas, spring and summer concerts. McMahan was given the honorary title of Director Emeritus in 2007.
What We Do
The Bel Air Community Chorus rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 PM from September to June to prepare for at least three concerts a year: a holiday concert in December, a spring concert in April or May, and a summer concert as part of the Bel Air Summer Concert Series. Musical selections include show tunes, popular, folk, seasonal music and spirituals. We also sing at nursing homes and assisted living homes in the Bel Air area and do additional concerts at the request of community groups. The Chorus has grown to approximately 60 loyal members who love to sing. We were first accompanied by Diane Nelson, then Shisa Suskey, and currently by Jenny Anderson.
The Chorus operates under the auspices of the Bel Air Recreation Committee and is funded by the Town of Bel Air, as well as grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Harford County Government through the Harford County Cultural Arts Board.
Where We’ve Been
The Chorus has had the pleasure of entertaining on many occasions, both in and around Harford County. Formal and informal performances include Oak Crest Retirement Village, Churchville Presbyterian Sunday Services, Harford County Association of Realtors Annual Meeting, Bel Air Tree Lighting, National Anthem at Ripken Stadium, Susquehanna Bank Grand Opening, Abingdon Library Christmas Program, Church of the Good Shepherd, Old Bel Air High School Reunion, Emmanuel Episcopal Memorial Service, and Caroling on Main Street.
Current Happenings
Come to a rehearsal and check us out! You’ll find a congenial group who loves to sing, with varying levels of ability. Our members range in age from 17 to 70+. You may ask what do we have in common? Why, it’s our love of music and the desire to share it with others. Although some will say they are not talented enough to do a solo, with 59 voices surrounding you, everyone can add something to the group. It’s not too late to join our ranks for our next concert in December, 2013, 7 pm at Bel Air High School Performing Arts Center. You’ll be more than welcome to join us in the fall as we prepare for our 2013 Christmas concert! First rehearsal is Tues., Sept. 3.