Albany Chorale wrapping up season on a high note

ALBANY — The Albany Chorale saved its best for last this season.

The choral group, which has tried to expand its support base to become a more regional organization, will conclude its 2015-16 season at 8 p.m. April 30 with its performance of “An Evening in Vienna.” Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the concert, which will be at the Albany Museum of Art, 311 Meadowlark Drive.

In addition to being the season finale, the concert also is the organization’s annual fundraiser, a performance that in previous years has been slated mid-season. Steve McCoy, president of the Albany Chorale, said moving it gives more emphasis to the final performance.

“We used to do it (the fundraiser) in February,” he said. “We decided this year we’d build toward the fundraiser all season. It’s been building up to our biggest concert of the year. We want to make this a real big deal.”

Tickets for the event, which will feature desserts and a cash bar, are $40 for an individual and $400 for a reserved table for eight. McCoy said last week that early tickets sales were going well, with four or five tables already reserved. He said the venue at the museum seats about 100 or 110 people comfortably.

“There are going to be some unbelievably good desserts,” he said. “We’re going to serve everything elegantly. We’re trying to make this something that’s never been done quite like this in Albany.”

The Chorale, under the direction of Marc Boensel and accompanied by pianist Meri Beth Hillard, also will be expanding its vocal palette. In a departure, McCoy said, the group will sing operatic choruses and arias. Composers whose work will be performed include Verdi, Lehar, Gilbert and Sullivan, Offenbach and Strauss.

“We’re venturing out there for us,” he said. “We’re trying to do something different.”

McCoy said many of the selections will have lightheartedness and humor.

“It’s going to be fun,” he said. “This concert’s real different.”

Looking back over the season, McCoy said he felt the Chorale had a successful one, which included its first concert outside the city limits in recent memory when the group performed in Leesburg in February. While he said the group made strides in its goal of achieving a more regional appeal, there was more work to be done in that area.

“The concert in Lee County was well received,” he said. “We have had some (regional exposure), but the vast majority of our patrons have been people from the city of Albany. We’re not yet getting the influx of people from Leesburg, Camilla, Dawson and Sylvester to drive in to see the concerts.”

Work will continue to expand both the talent base for the group and its audience in the 2016-17 season, planning for which has already begun. And after three directors in three seasons, the Chorale is expecting consistent artistic leadership for next season. McCoy said Boensel and Hillard will both be back next season.

“We’re tickled to have them back,” he said. “They’re both real pros.”

McCoy credits Boensel, assistant professor of music at Darton State College and music ministries director at Porterfield United Methodist Church in Albany, with inspiring the singers.

“We have had a very nice reception (from audiences this season), and our new director (Boensel) has been a very big part of it,” he said. “Marc is a real pro. He’s very emotional in the way he directs, and that emotion flows over to the Chorale. He makes it fun for us.”

Tickets for the concert are available at Parker Music or from any Chorale member. Ticket seekers also can call (229) 395-3087.

“It’s our last one of the year,” McCoy said. “We hope the folks in Albany will come out and support us. It should be fun. We’re going to make it a big night.”