Albany Chorale’s new president talks 2025-26 season

ALBANY – As the Albany Chorale prepares for its first rehearsal of the 2025-26 season, new president Melody Sheffield is hard at work both center stage and behind the scenes.

The chorale will come together on Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. for its first rehearsal at Covenant Presbyterian Church to prepare for its opening concert of the year on Oct. 23. The group is opening up with a show that features songs of Americana. Artistic Director Dakota Cone and Accompanist Meri Beth Hillard will continue in their leadership roles for the chorale, and Sheffield will take the reins as the chorale’s president. 

Sheffield first joined the Albany Chorale in the 1980s for a brief stint. She returned to the group two years ago. She said she’s a lifelong lover of music and the arts, growing up listening to her mother play piano at church, taking piano and voice lessons herself, and eventually joining musical groups at church and with Theatre Albany. She was nominated and voted in as president by fellow chorale members this year.

“I’m excited and happy to take on a leadership role,” Sheffield said. “We are promoting the arts in rural south Georgia, and I think that’s an important thing.” 

She said her favorite part about being in the Albany Chorale is the learning aspect. 

“I look forward to learning some new music, and I also learn so much from the members, the people around me,” Sheffield said. “A lot of singing chorale music is listening to the people around you. We all learn something. You hear about different works of music.”

Sheffield takes those lessons home with her, practicing particularly challenging pieces with her piano at home. She said she doesn’t have a favorite piece to sing.

“I enjoy variety,” she said. “I like to mix it up – classical pieces … contemporary things.” 

Sheffield said her goal as president is to keep the chorale focused and organized. She wants to ramp up publicity.

“I want to just keep everybody … moving forward so we get the word out, so that we have our members return for the fall and inviting members to join us,” she said. “I don’t think you can have too many members.” 

Sheffield said all skill levels are welcome to join the Albany Chorale. The group of about 50 is made up of junior high and high school students, current and retired music educators and lifelong lovers of music. 

“Everyone should put the upcoming concerts on your calendar so you can join in the fun,” she said.  “Singers with or without special musical training are welcome to become chorale members.”

All concerts will be held at 7 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian.  The Oct. 23 season opener will feature songs of Americana.  Donations collected at this concert will go toward the Albany Chorale Scholarship Fund.  The Albany Chorale will award up to $1,000 each season for a rising college freshman pursuing a music scholarship.  Details on the scholarship and application information may be found at albanychorale.org.

The concert on Dec. 4 will feature music of the holiday season.  The final two concerts are planned for Feb. 19 and May 7 with their themes to be finalized in the upcoming weeks.

The Albany Chorale was originally known as The Albany Community Chorus, which was registered in 1966.  

“While classical works have been a staple of the chorale over the years, we also explore other musical genres such as folk music, sacred works, contemporary selections, music of the theatre and more,” Sheffield said. 

To become a member, one has to just show up to rehearsals. Dues are $50 per year but can be waived by selling ads. Visit https://www.albanychorale.org/ for more information.