About Carillon Women's Chorale
Carillon Women's Chorale was founded in 2001 by Karen Nevins for adult women from all walks of life with a passion for beautiful music. In 2016 they were awarded their 501(c)3 non-profit status. Carillon has continued performing for the promotion of music for women and have flourished to 30 voices! When asked, adults often say that some of their most memorable music memories were made in their high school and college choir experiences. It was Nevins' school music and her love of singing and poetry that encouraged her to pursue choral music as a non-traditional student in her late 30's. Through 20 years of teaching in the public schools, Karen's school choirs consistently received First Division and Superior ratings. Karen retired in 2013 and continues teaching voice in her private studio and in various institutions. A Michigan School Vocal Music (MSVMA) adjudicator and choral clinician since 1992, Karen was awarded the 2015 Michigan School Vocal Music Emeritus Membership award. In retirement, she keeps busy as an active clinician, helping younger teachers prepare their high school choirs for festivals. Karen also clinics church choirs. Karen continues her passion for exploring new music written for women by women composers through her continued work with Carillon Women's Chorale.
Carillon allows its singers a cultural break from their daily routine. A choral colleague put it quite simply: "Unlike a painting, music is instantaneous. It lasts for only a moment and it's gone." But each magical moment allows us to refresh our souls and renew our spirit. For Karen, some of her most musical moments have been with her Lincoln High School women's choirs. Serving one term as ACDA-Michigan's Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women's Choirs (1999-2001), she is aware of the wealth of wonderful literature available to women's choirs. Early church literature was not written for womens' voices, but the Ospedali Composers of the baroque period, recognized women's voices as artic- ulate instruments of virtuosity. Karen's goal is for Carillon Women to awaken a new awareness through performance excellence in the treble choral art.
Carillon Women's Chorale provides opportunity for it's membership of music teachers, housewives, mothers, choral directors, college students and business professionals to rehearse on Sunday evenings for the effort of exploring music from all historic periods and all styles through expressive singing. In a time when we are bogged down with hectic schedules and high stress living, the Chorale's goal is to seek balance and explore musical aesthetics.
Auditions are conducted by appointment until positions fulfill a goal of sectional balance. Auditions are essential, as they permit us to seek the loveliest voices and the highest quality of singing and musicianship for this group.
Rehearsals are conducted through Fall and Winter Semesters, with a holiday concert in early December and another in early Spring. Other performances can be added to the schedule with unified approval of the director and membership.
If you're a proficient singer seeking a wonderful choral opportunity, consider becoming a significant voice in Carillon's lovely and maturely-voiced chorale! Link to contact for further information.