From Our Director

 

Dear Lovers of Music,

 

Welcome to our 60^th Anniversary year!  It is hard to believe that we have been singing for 60 years!  We have been planning the events for this big celebration since last summer and you don’t want to miss any of them. Please put Sunday, May 18th on your calendars, as the Chorus will present a very special Spring Concert at 3:00 P.M. with a reception following at First Baptist Church of Decatur.

The Spring Concert will feature signature pieces from our 60 years, a media presentation of the history of the Chorus, and a “Reunion Chorus” made up of former and current members. Please don’t miss these events.

As part of our 60^th Anniversary year, we will participate in the Emory Community Choral Festival at Emory’s beautiful new performing Arts Center – the Schwartz Center – on February 23, 7:00 P.M. 

The Chorus also will make our annual appearance at Lawrenceville Road UMC in a benefit concert for the church’s Missions Program, Sunday, May 4.

We are singing in the National Memorial Day Concert in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. on May 25^th.  We will be representing our great state of Georgia as we sing concerts around our nation’s capitol.

I have been a member of the Chorus for 57 years, conductor for 50 (45 years as director and 5 years as assistant director to Mary Clark) and it has been the joy of my life. Mary Clark was the founder and first director of the Chorus.  She was not only my mentor but my inspiration as well…she knew the importance and spirituality of music in our lives and how to reach out to people to convey this message.  We believe that Choral Music is the greatest form of any of the Arts.  A large number of people must come together using their own instrument – the voice – to work to produce stirring sounds that uplift, encourage, soothe and comfort us as human beings.  What joy it is to sing together to produce such a wonderful sound, and we have been working on “that sound” for all these years.  It is what makes the DCC different from any other group you will hear. I have spent my entire career with the Chorus developing it through studies with great conductors.

I must mention my other great inspiration – my mother – Mary Lee “Ma” Sharp who is my greatest fan and most loyal supporter.  Mother will be 104 in April and was a charter member and one of the first accompanists of the Chorus.  She has been on every Concert tour with us all over Europe, Mexico, the U.S.A. and will journey to Washington, D.C. next May.  She even comes to every Monday night rehearsal.  What a joy she is to so many people.

We hope to see everyone at our receptions and concerts.  It is because of you that we continue to sing.

 

Sincerely,

Mary Anne Sharp

Director of the Decatur Civic Chorus

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Hear the DCC in the Sixtieth Anniversary Concert:

Sunday May 18^th at 3:00 PM – First Baptist Church of Decatur

From Our President

Dear Sponsors and Patrons,

 

            The Decatur Civic Chorus is in its 60th season of providing choral music performances to our community. The highlight of this milestone season will be our Spring Concert on Sunday, May 18th at 3:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Decatur. We will have a reception following the concert in the Fellowship Hall with everyone invited.

            As you know, our concerts are presented free to the public. We are able to do this because of you.  Please continue your generous support.

            It has been a distinct honor and privilege to be the President of the Chorus during its 60th season. I particularly want to thank the members of the Board for their help and support. I couldn’t do this job without them.

            I also want to recognize the countless hours the singers have invested in preparing for concerts over those 60 years. It is truly a labor of love for them and it shows in the response from out community.

            Last but not least, I want to recognize the leadership of Mary Anne Sharp. Even though I’m a relative newcomer, it is easy to see the impact she has had. Words alone cannot express our appreciation for all her hard work.

See you at the concert.

 

Shelton “Jerry” Jones

 

President, Decatur Civic Chorus, 2007-2008

——————————————————————————————

From Our Patron Committee

 

Dear Friends of the Decatur Civic Chorus,

 

Many times in this newsletter we make reference to the sixtieth anniversary of the Chorus.  How does any organization survive for that long? 

 

The Decatur Civic Chorus survives because our loyal friends, sponsors and patrons make it possible to pay the rent and insurance on our rehearsal space, buy new music, tune our piano, and pay for all of the other things that are necessary to keep going. 

 

Will you help again as we journey into our next sixty years?  We depend on your assistance, but never take it for granted.  We are sincerely grateful for your continued support.

 

Nancy R. Van Wyk

 Patron Chairman

 

The Decatur Civic Chorus is a non-profit organization under section 501 (c) 3 of the IRS code. 
Donations to the DCC may be deductible; please consult with your tax consultant.
(The tax ID # is 58 1298703.)

You may send your donations to the DCC at: PO Box 1361, Decatur, Georgia 30031.
Also, you can learn more about the DCC at www.decaturcivicchorus.org

Special Recognitions

In Memory of

  Robert W. & Helen L. Biccum

    By Robert T. Biccum

In Memory of Mickey A. Bowers

    By Helen B. Ogren

In Memory of

  Elsie E. Cavanaugh

    By Kay Cavanaugh

In Memory of Marilyn Darden

     By Janet Borden Eastman 

In Memory of Gene Garrett

    By The Family of Gene Garrett

         Barbara Disney

         Mrs. Carolyn Salley

         Arnie & Nancy Van Wyk

In Memory of

  Anita Elise Garnsey

    By Carol Gibson Sutterfield

In Memory of

  Mary Ford Lallerstedt

    By Helen B. Chilton

In Memory of

Jean & Nick Lombardi

    By Ann V. Lombardi

In Memory of

 Jane Stinson Martin

    By Frances S. Smith

In Memory of E. Franklin Nail

    By Juanita P. Nail

In Memory of Bayne Pierce

    By Gwen Pierce

         Carole Thompson

In Memory of Linda Vincent

    By Steven Vincent

In Honor of Ed & Evelyn Arnn

    By Bill & Toni Jernigan

In Honor of Evelyn Arnn

    By Lucy Mills

In Honor of Evergene Ayers

     By Mr. & Mrs. M. E. Golding

In Honor of Betty Baccus

    By Madge E. Watson

In Honor of John Bryant

    By Mr. & Mrs. Hazel Long

In Honor of Columbia 

  Presbyterian Choir Members

    By Sandra Love

In Honor of Barbara Disney

    By Ms. Elizabeth W. Turner

In Honor of Barbara Giebelhaus

    By Erich Giebelhaus

         Jill Grossman

         Oliver Giebelhaus

In Honor of Debbra Krull

    By Jacquelyn Smiley

In Honor of Pat Shelton

    By Lucy Mills

In Honor of Dawn Thomas

    By Bob & Debbie Thomas

In Honor of Barbara Truelove

    By Karen O’Connor

2007-2008 Sponsors of the Decatur Civic Chorus

Diamond - $2,000 & Above

We gratefully acknowledge a bequest received In Memory of Sam Simmons, “for all that the DCC meant to him over the years.”  Kathy and Sam Simmons were members of the DCC. 

 

John & Mary Franklin Foundation,

  Inc.

Platinum $1,000 - $1,999

John W. & Sandra H. Grimes

IBM

NCR Foundation

Arnie & Nancy Van Wyk

 

Gold - $500 - $999

The Family of Gene Garrett

Mr. & Mrs. Tom Jewell

Northern Trust Company

Gerldine A. Patrick

Patricia Ridgeway

 

Silver - $250 - $499

eLife Magazine.net

Andrea Berry

Col. & Mrs. John C. Howard,

   AUS Ret.

 

 

Tom & Kay Deiters

Weyman T. Johnson, Jr.

Col. & Mrs. Russell E. Rhoads,

  AUS, Ret.

Robert R. and Carolyn B.

   Woodson Fund

 

Bronze - $100 - $249

Louise E. Abbott

Alva O. Bentley

Dr. Earlene Brasher

Café’ Lily

Helen B. Chilton

The Coca-Cola Foundation

Charlie & Wendy Cromwell

James H. Dill

Barbara Disney

David & Debbie Disney

First Baptist Church of Decatur

Bonnie Jett Frazier

John W. Gamwell, M.D.

Jeff Geer

Nora Geer

Barbara & Gus Giebelhaus

Erich Giebelhaus

Oliver Giebelhaus

Marilou Wilson Grimm

Jill Grossman

Mary Alice Hearn

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Hobbs

 

Lucy Lanier

Lawrenceville Rd. UMC

Miss Rushie Lewis

Mr. & Mrs. Hazel Long

Annette R. Lovelady

Sherwood & Peggy Merchant

E. Ruth Meulbroek

Pam Mills

Linda M. Mitchell

Laverne Murrah

Mary A. Newcomer

Jimmy & Gloria Odom

Mary A. Palmer

Spud Rasmussen

Curtis Reding

F. Jack Ridgeway

Ruth Kirby Sanders

Mr.  & Mrs. Jack Sartain

Norman & Joan Self

Jan Selman

Vivian H. Sherrill

Patricia Stevens

Cheryl G. Sullivan

Elizabeth W. Turner

Mr. & Mrs. James Vance

Gary, Debra & Jonathan Vaughan

Walter & Margie Wancio

Pat Warthan

Joy Daniel Wilson

Mary L. Wilson-Grimm

 

2007-2008 Patrons of the Decatur Civic Chorus

 

 

 

Donna Abrams

Tom & Nancy Alderman

Walter & Carolyn Allen

Ouida K. Allison

Dr. Mary H. Armstrong

H. Douglas Askew

Bank of America

  Matching Gifts Program

Betty Baccus

Dick Baker

Edythe J. Baker

Frances Loehr Beales

Sara B. Beard

Beta Kappa Chapter of

  Alpha Delta Kappa

  International Sorority for

  Educators

Robert T. Biccum

Jean & Lou Boos

Ned & Evelyn Boring

Beulah Bowen

Margaret N. Bowman

M. Carole Brady

Mrs. Thelma C. Brown

Mr. C. S. Burgess, Jr.  Mrs. C.S. Burgess, Jr.

Mr. Harry C. Burgess

Lawanda Burns

Gail Cabisius

Wynne Callaway

Bill Cameron

Georgia Sue Cameron

Marynell & William Camp

Julia E. Carlton

Kay Cavanaugh

Mary Newell Cobb

Marian M. Compans

Jane L. Cope

Heidi & Tommy Couch

George & Marilyn Crowe

Carol Ann Culpepper

Susan Danner

Deanna Davis

Shirley Davis

Decatur Lions Club

Norman DeLong

Barbara DeLong

 

 

 

 

Perry M. Dickey

Deborah L. Dickey

Brimmell L. Dunn

Janet Borden Eastman

Genevieve S. Edwards

Wm. E. Esslinger

Rita B. Esslinger

Patrick & Clarissa Evans

Patricia H. Fewell

David Flick

Donald G. Frank

Mr. John Will Fuchs

Mrs. John Will Fuchs

Virginia Fuchs

Charles N. Fuller

Sue E. Fuller

Gerry Gann

Michael & Dianne Gilmer

Col. Ross M. Goddard, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. M. E. Golding

Al & Guelda Granade

John C. Grant

Marian Graves

Thomas R. Hagood, Jr.

Dorothy E. Hagosky

Gloria & Kenneth Hahn

Timothy Hass

Rebecca Hass

Margaret Heilig

Ethel C. Henderson

Mr. & Mrs. R. H. Hiller

Mrs. Fred Hilscher

Patricia Hilscher

George & Joanne Hooten

Frederic & Hilda Horowitz

Elarie B. Howard

Patti Ireland

Bill & Toni Jernigan

Ann B. Johnson

Ida M. Johnson

Kay & Tom Johnson

Elizabeth Jones

Katie E. Jones

Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Jones

Anita & John King

Marian K. Knight

Melba Knowles

William & Madeline Kouts

 

 

 

 

Lawrenceville Rd. UMC

James E. Lesher

Liane Levetan

Jack & Fran Line

Ann V. Lombardi

Rod & Michele Mac Leod

Edith D. Manning

Frances D. Marable

Golden Cole Marrett

Joyce B. Martin

Ken & Genie Massingale

Kathy Mattox

Marian C. McCullers

Helen M. Miller

RADM William O. Miller,

   USN Ret.

Lucy Mills

Essie M. Minor

Mr. & Mrs. Lester Moore

Jennifer & Rey Morris

Elizabeth Moseley

Billy & Louise Mulkey

Tom & Nell Mundy

Ms. Charlotte Murphy

Sarah B. Murchison

Mrs. Juanita P. Nail

Mary Newcomer

Mrs. Bobbee Norvell

Karen O’Connor

Terry & Jane Otten

Bill & Betty Painter

Helen P. Palmour

Charlotte B. Parsons

Claire Patterson

Bill & Marcia Philips

Gwendolyn Pierce

Jackie Plunk, One Hour

   Personalizing

Sue Pichanick

Connie E. Prestwood

Carol & Dryna Rains

Betty F. Ray

Alieta Redding

Joyce Reedy

Mary M. Reimer

Mary W. Rhodes

Joanne P. Rickman-King

Lin Rima-Theuerkauf

 

 

 

 

Mary L. Roach

Gene & Mary Dell Robert

Carolyn Robison

Louise Morgan Runyon

Mrs. Carolyn Salley

Dorothy O. Sayer

Lydia Sharian

Mary Anne Sharp

Mary Lee Sharp

Bob & Becky Simkins

Jim & Marianne Skeen

Jacquelyn M. Smiley

Frances S. Smith

Mary Cherie Smith

Bob   Stewart

Norma Jean Stewart

Margaret Stone

Elizabeth Strickland

Mrs. Ralph Stockton

Jean Tarvin

Betty Tate

Juanita P. Teems

Betty Thibadeau

Bill, Mitzi & Sam Thomas

Bob & Debbie Thomas

Hazel Thomas

Carole Thompson

Mr. David Thurmond

Mrs. David Thurmond

Elizabeth W. Turner

Mr. & Mrs. Robert I. Uhl

Virginia Underwood

Valley Brook Baptist

   Church

James Van Duys

Joanne Van Duys

Katherine Vaughan

Steven Vincent

Clara & Carl Vining

Ken & Rachel Walls

Pat Warthan

Bob & Emily White

Bill & Jane F. Williams

Carolyn G. Wilson & UDC

Joy Wilson

Pat Winfree

Arnold E. Wise

Gerald Wright

Wade & Sally Wright

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God sent his Singers upon earth
With songs of sadness and of mirth,
That they might touch the hearts of men,
And bring them back to heaven again.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

 

 

 

If you would like to get information about upcoming Decatur Civic Chorus concerts by email, please either go to our web site:  http://www.decaturcivicchorus.org and click on the email link under “Get Email from Decatur Civic Chorus, “ or send an email to webmaster@decaturcivicchorus.org

In your email to us please give us your name and email address and include wording similar to:

“You have my permission to send email to notify me of public performances by the DCC.”  If you would like to be notified by email when there is new information on the DCC Website, mention that as well.

The DCC will not sell or give this email address to any other organization.  Your email address will be used only for the purpose(s) specified above.  No web site can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but the DCC and our ISP will make every reasonable effort to protect the privacy of this address.

 

 

 

DECATUR CIVIC CHORUS,

DECATUR, GEORGIA, U.S.A.

From 1948 to 2008

 

The Decatur Civic Chorus is one of the oldest continuing choral groups in the Southeast and in fact is celebrating 60 years of singing!  The word “civic” is included in the name for a reason.  The Chorus was organized to not only bring quality concerts to the public, but to also provide benefit concerts for groups such as The American Cancer Society, Red Cross, Scottish Rite Children’s’ Hospital, etc.  The DCC has been recognized on state, national, and international levels.  The Chorus has been commended for its service to the State of Georgia by Gov. Zell Miller, the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives, and has been recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Chorus was praised for its gifts of time and talent shared with the community by the President of the United States.

The DCC has participated in three international choral competitions: the Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales and has been invited to this prestigious contest on two different occasions; the International Choral Competition in Spittal, Austria, where the Chorus represented the United States; and the International Choral Festival, in Missoula, Montana in July of 2000, the largest choral festival in our country.  We have represented Georgia and the United States as we sang with choruses from all over the world.

The Chorus has toured Europe extensively.  In addition to Austria and Wales, voices of the DCC have been heard in The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Germany.  A concert tour of Italy in 1994 provided the Chorus opportunities to sing in some of the most beautiful halls and churches in that country, including St. Mark’s in Venice. In the summer of 1998 the Chorus represented Georgia and the United States as it traveled to Ireland and Scotland giving benefit concerts for many churches as well as singing in Trinity Chapel of Trinity College, at the American Embassy in Dublin, and for the U.S. Consulate General in Edinburgh, Scotland. Gifts were exchanged and we presented proclamations from the Mayor of Decatur and the keys to our city of Decatur. 

The Chorus has been heard throughout Southeastern U.S. in churches and hospitals, and has appeared in concerts at Disney World, World’s Fairs in Knoxville and New Orleans, Spoleto in Charleston, and in our National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.  One of the Chorus’ Concert highlights was appearing with the Mexican National Symphony in the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, Mexico.

Over the years the DCC has sung for many famous people and in prestigious places.  The Chorus has also sung for unusual benefits such as the King of Spain’s Orphanage or to repair the roof of the church in Amsterdam where the Pilgrims had worshipped before their journey to the New World.  We opened and hosted every DeKalb International Choral Festival since its inception in 1991 and in 1993 our Director was the Artistic Manager of the Festival, bringing the great composer/conductor John Rutter to DeKalb County. In June 2006, the Chorus appeared in Carnegie Hall under the baton of the great John Rutter himself.  This concert was by invitation only and the Chorus is proud to have performed in Carnegie Hall. On May 25, 2008, the Chorus will perform in The National Memorial Day Concert at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

The Chorus is a very unique choral group – not only because of its 60 years of quality concerts, but also because it brings to the community the true sense of volunteerism – the giving of time and talent.  Mary Anne Sharp is Director and Evelyn Arnn is Accompanist. Visit the web site:www.decaturcivicchorus.org.