David Gilliland

The Chorus of Westerly is one of the nation’s only intergenerational choral organizations. An auditioned chorus of 190 members, the Chorus is unique in that half of its singers are children ages 8-18. These children sing alongside the adults on every performance of the season regardless of the works programmed. An expansive music education program prepares the children to sing these major works in performance at a high artistic level. The children’s program begins at a special music training camp held each August in New Hampshire and continues as part of their regular Chorus rehearsal process during the year. Since its founding in 1959, the Chorus has performed nearly 700 concerts for over 1.2 million people both in Rhode Island and abroad. Beyond Rhode Island, the Chorus has performed extensively across England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic as part of four major international tours. Andrew Howell has served as music director since in 2012. A noted musician, Mr. Howell also serves as music director of Saint James Church, New London, and music director of the Watch Hill Chapel. The Chorus has presented many of the major choral works in history ranging from the Bach B Minor Mass to the Verdi Requiem. The Chorus has also presented 15 American premieres of major English choral works. Its regular season includes two symphonic concert series a year, a Christmas Pops series and Summer Pops Westerly, a free concert offered each June to audiences of 25,000. The Chorus is one of the few independent choral organizations in the U.S. to own a performance facility - the historic Kent Hall - located in downtown Westerly. Noted for its exceptional acoustics, the facility is home to the Chorus and to many other smaller arts groups. In 2014, the Chorus of Westerly was recently awarded a $1.1 million grant from RI for renovation and repair work on Kent Hall. The Chorus is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.