DURHAM COMMUNITY CHOIR

Who We Are....

In the fall of 1994, Wendy Hedderwick-White founded the Durham College Community Choir. The founding members were a handful of committed individuals, combining staff and students of Durham College with members of the wider Durham Region community. John-Charles (J.-C.) Coolen originally joined the choir as an accompanist, and is presently the choir's director.

Today, the Durham Community Choir is a volunteer choir made up of members of the community and the college and is over 90 voices strong. It operates as a Durham College Continuing Education course and meets once a week to rehearse in the auditorium of Durham College. Choristers are not required to audition for membership although each member is encouraged to strive to meet their individual potential for contributing to the production of quality choral music.

The choir generally performs two concerts a year - a fall concert is held in November or December and a spring concert is held in late April. In 2008, the choir diversified and took on some new challenges, hosting a Sing-a-long Messiah and creating an auditioned women's choir that performed Britten's Ceremony of Carols.

The year 2009, marks a significant milestone for the choir. It is J.-C. Coolen's 10th year as director of the choir. In celebration, the concert in May 2009 provided a retrospective look at past concerts' repertoire during Mr. Coolen's tenure.

The Durham Community Choir continues to be committed to growth. We actively seek new members who have a passion to sing to join us in making music.

Vision:

Durham Community Choir (DCC) is an enthusiastic group that welcomes all who have a passion for singing and who are committed to working collaboratively to achieve choral excellence. DCC creates and sustains a learning environment in which to explore, build and develop choral singing. The choir's efforts enrich the community and contribute to the cultural growth of Durham region and beyond through community performances.

Mission:

The mission of DCC is to build a supportive and inclusive choral community for members to express themselves through singing. DCC provides challenging choral experiences which allow choristers of various skill levels to enhance and develop their singing and appreciation of choral music.

Values:

Inclusiveness. We are committed to welcoming all members of our community as choristers and to maintaining an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement.

Enjoyment. We value the enjoyment of singing while acquiring discipline and confidence through the process of learning to sing, read and perform music for the public and ourselves.

Community enterprise. We understand and support the idea that each rehearsal and performance is an effort to unite and advance our different abilities and skills as choristers.

Musical growth. We believe in challenging our abilities and potential through a variety of choral selections that helps build and diversify our musical contribution to our choir and community.

Artistic achievement and innovation. We believe in supporting and inspiring choral singers to fulfill their individual potential and the potential of the choir.

Commitment. We believe in loyalty to the choir as shown by consistent participation and voluntary group involvement for the benefit of our audiences and ourselves.

Education. We support commitment to learning, practicing, and improving our musical skills as choristers through personal practice, group rehearsal and performance.

Collaboration. We are committed to the principle and practices of willingly sharing our knowledge of technical, vocal quality and musical expertise with our fellow choristers in a friendly and supportive environment. We support those of our members who are charged with the responsibility of working together to build partnerships with supportive institutions, funders and the public.

Participation and Community Engagement. We believe choral singing contributes to and enriches the cultural experiences of all. Through our efforts, we provide a community and cultural experience that benefits both our neighbours and ourselves.