Welcome from the Westborough Community Chorus



Established 1971
Faith Newark, Founding Director
Deborah Lukey, Director


The Westborough Community Chorus (Westborough, Massachusetts) was founded in 1971. The chorus "family" presents two shows a year, one at Christmas with special segments for children and an original production in the spring. We are always looking for new members. The only requirement is a love of singing. "Be our guest", try us out. Please see contact information below. Proceeds from the shows are used to provide music scholarships to local Junior and Senior High School students to assist with private music lessons. These scholarships are in memory of deceased chorus members.

In Memory of Faith G. Newark
1929 - 2002
Founding Director
Westborough Community Chorus

Music was her Friend

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Do you like to sing?

Then why not join us.

We rehearse at the Westborough Senior Center, every Monday, at 7:30 PM. You will have a good time and at the Christmas show, we present music scholarships.


We are busy getting copies of the spring show to cable stations around the area. Consult your local cable company for broadcast dates and times


The NEACCA (New England Area Community Chorus Association, Inc) Chorus Festival on June 20 at the Hanover Theatre was a blast. Check out the pictures.


The chorus performed at "Arts in Common" on Oct 3d here in Westborough. Pictures soon.


Stay tuned for more on our Christmas show happening in December 4th, 5th and 6th. when we will announce the scholarship winners.


We expect a visitor dressed in red to drop by during the Christmas show. Do not miss him.


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Show Schedule

Ticket Information

Directions to Sara Gibbons Middle School

History

Links

You can send email to
comm_chorus@charter.net
or write to
Westborough Community Chorus, Inc
P O Box 702
Westborough, MA 01581



chorus dog

It is time to dig up the garden



music note

Show Schedule

The WCC productions take place at the Sara Gibbons Middle School on Fisher Street, Westborough MA


Show Times (2009 - 2010)

Fri Dec 4 Sat Dec 5 Sun Dec 6 *** Fri April 30 Sat May 1 Sun May 2
8:00 PM 8:00 PM 2:00 PM *** 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 2:00 PM

Events (2009 - 2010)

Super Yard Sale September 19 September 26 (rain date)
Phillips Street (Harvey School) 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Arts in Common October 3 October 10 (rain date)
Westborough Commons (at the Gazebo) 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM TBD

 

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Chorus Images

camera

the sign

Welcome to the show

 

the flat

The first section backdrop (without everyone in front of it)

 

smiling

Deb says "Remember to smile"

 

warming up

Time to warm up your voices

 

backdrop

Building a backdrop

 

the crew

The Stage Crew

 

the band

The Band

 

Makeup

A little touch of color here ....

 

more singing

More singing, more often with the WCC

 

some fun

Some rehearsal fun with Bugs and Elmer Fudd...

 

shirts

The ladies model their colorful shirts..

 

singers

All ready to sing

 

Here is the First Section

singing

West Side Story -- I Feel Pretty

 

singing

America (I Like to be in America)

 

Joseph

Joseph's Amazing Dream Coat

 

singing

Enchanted

 

south pacific

I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair

 

song a Dame

There is Nothing Like a Dame........or maybe not!

 

singer

When You Walk Thru a Storm..

 

Here is the Second Section

singer

Waiting to go on stage

 

dance

All the dancers

 

guys

The guys share a laugh before going on stage

 

solos

Somebody Loves Me (and she is right behind you)

 

dancing

Time for a dance (You're a Grand Old Flag)

 

solo

The Nearness of You

 

song

Loves Me Like a Rock

 

dress

At the party, we surprised Winnie with a birthday cake

 

Hanover Theatre


In June we sang at the New England Area Community Chorus Association Chorus Festival at Hanover Theatre


dressing room

We are overwhelmed by real dressing rooms

 

deb et al

Three generations of music

 

dress

Getting ready for the bright lights

 

dress

Presenting the WCC on the BIG stage (Photo courtesy of The Blackstone Valley Community Chorus.)

 


Do not forget we will be back in December !!!!!!!!


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Ticket Information

Ticket Prices

Adults Children Seniors
$10.00 $7.00 $7.00

We had a typo in our posters. The correct number to call for tickets is: 508-485-4469.Sorry

Tickets may be purchased :
at the door or from any Chorus Member

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Directions

Westborough is located near the intersection of Route 495 and Route 9. Using the Mass Pike - take Exit 11A to Route 495 North to Route 9 West (Boston Turnpike). Follow Route 9 about 3 miles to Route 135 (Milk Street). Cross over 135 and follow the exit under Route 9 to 135 South. Follow 135 for about 3 miles to the intersection of Fisher Street. Follow Fisher for 1/2 mile to the Sara Gibbons Middle School, Follow the driveway to parking in the rear of the school.
From the North, South, East or West - Route 9 can be reached from 495, 290 and numerous other roads. Follow Route 9 to Route 135 (Milk Street). Follow 135 South for about 3 miles to the intersection of Fisher Street. Follow Fisher for 1/2 mile to the Sara Gibbons Middle School, Follow the driveway to parking in the rear of the school.

And now a closer look......

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History

People have asked about the history of the WCC. We can't think of a better start than this article from 1997, a tribute to our director, Faith Newark. Our thanks to The Westborough News for permission to reprint it

Another Opening, Another Show
By Charles Harper

Westborough: They opened in June 1971. When the curtain goes up at the Gibbons Middle School December 5, it will be the fifty-first show presented by the Westborough Community Chorus. Faith Newark has directed fifty chorus shows. In a telephone interview she said it all started when she was approached by Jim Harvey and Bill Barrett. The two enjoyed singing, had sung in a chorus celebrating the town's, 25Oth anniversary. "They wanted to continue singing but were turned off from joining other existing choruses requiring singers audition and be able to read music. In addition both were interested in singing popular folk and patriotic songs. They didn't want to do the long hair stuff. Jim had a beautiful voice and Bill was no slouch" Faith said. As organist and choir director at the Congregational Church, Faith understood where Jim Harvey and Bill Barrett were coming from. "I had four choirs. I understood many times people have good voices. and can sing well but can't read a note of music. Bringing people together to sing in a chorus is a matter of osmosis. They help and learn from each other" said Faith.
In agreeing to direct the chorus Faith laid down some rules. Music folders were not allowed on stage. This dictum meant every singer had to memorize the words and music of up to twenty songs performed in a show. This was an unusual step. Choristers are never without their music to lean on. The prestigious Tanglewood Chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir serve as examples. While not criticizing other choral groups Faith said she views it as important there be a bond between performers and the audience. "I feel folders get in the way of this happening. Doing without them makes a difference in the way the audience responds," Faith said. A second innovation Faith brought to the chorus and choral singing was to make each performance a show business production with a theme and sets. Cardboard, wood, hay bales, rocking chairs, furniture and a variety of objects were integrated into each production. In the song about Charley on the MTA, Charlie rode in a cardboard cutout of a trolley car. Toyland was recreated for Christmas shows. A slide show of Americana accompanied an enthusiastic rendering of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". "Sets are another way of drawing the audience into the show," Faith said. She credits set designer Jane Kruse for coming up with eye-appealing sets and chorus members for hammering, painting and gluing things together. "Jane is such a talent she should be designing sets on Broadway." Faith said.
Sets led to costumes. Outfitting chorus members to fit particular characters became an integral part of each production. Faith gives credit to designer Jane Kruse and the many chorus members over the years who sewed and stitched to make the garments. Thinking back to the chorus' beginning Faith said the town loaned them $200 or $250 to get started. The money went to buy music and was soon repaid. A committee was formed. The idea took off and became reality when fifty sopranos, altos, tenors and basses joined in the chorus' first show in June 1971. Faith remembers it was so hot on the stage subsequent spring shows were moved to May. Enthusiasm over the first show brought an interest in mounting a Christmas production. In all but one year beginning in 1971 the chorus has mounted two shows. The one exception was a spring show canceled when chorus members, not wanting to impose on Faith because she suffered back problems, voted not to go through with a scheduled production. Faith notes she wanted the show to go on.
Faith pays tribute to chorus members past and present. She says two shows a year requires a lot in the way of commitment. Rehearsals for the spring show in May begins in early January. Rehearsals for the Christmas show begin soon after Labor Day and continue though November. Rehearsals escalate in the week leading up to the May and December productions. Then they are held every evening beginning Monday up to the opening curtain. Sixty choristers will perform this year's Christmas show. Past productions have seen as many as ninety members on stage. Another facet of the chorus is proceeds from ticket sales make possible music scholarships for private music Lessons for students of junior high and high school age. Awards are given in memory of deceased chorus members. "Anytime you can entertain people and bring joy into their lives makes it all worthwhile," said Faith. "But it wouldn't happen without an awful lot of dedication and work by hundreds of people who have made the chorus possible over these many years". When the curtain rises on the chorus' 26th annual Christmas show December 5, Faith Newark will be on the sidelines making progress in a battle against cancer. Chorus members voted to title the show "A Celebration of Faith". Susan Menzel, director of the bell choir at the Congregational Church, will conduct "A Celebration of Faith". As for Faith, she has her sights set on May 1998 when she plans to direct the chorus in its annual spring show. Rehearsals begin in early January.

Copyright The Westborough News - November 28, 1997


In late December of 2002, the town of West Warren lost their library to a fire. Soon after, WCC members Gary Wittmann and Marty Newark started a campaign to collect books to help replace their loss. Working with chorus members and the Westborough Library, Marty filled a garage with donated books. On April 12th, Marty and Gary delivered "tons of books" (over 5000 volumes) to West Warren.

WCC thanks everyone who donated books or helped load the truck (especially the Scouts of Troop 100), those who helped unload in West Warren and Fayco Ltd for use of their truck.

West Warren books

From left to right: Gary Wittmann (WCC), Alan Aubin (Treasurer / Webmaster of the Library Association), Marty Newark (WCC) presents a dictionary to Patty Swistak (Director of the Library Association) and Pat Melisky surrounded by student volunteers

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door

Links


west sign An Unofficial Community Web Site for Westborough, Massachusetts

sound sign The chorus uses Red Sky Sound for our shows

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Westborough Community Chorus productions are supported, in part, by a grant from The Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency supported by The Massachusetts Cultural Council


Photos: Eileen Fox, Gary & Robin Wittmann
The Blackstone Valley Community Chorus and Bob & Jen Tripi



Copyright © 1998 - 2009 by Westborough Community Chorus, Inc.

This site is maintained by Bob Tripi