Welcome!

First organized in 1985 under the Sussex County Arts Council, the Southern Delaware Choral Society continues in its original mission "to provide a vehicle through which local singers can come together to sharpen their musical skills and share a love of good music; to provide an opportunity for high school and college singers to perform challenging music beyond what they are offered in their academic settings; to bring well-performed choral music to southern Delaware on a regular basis; and to expand the number and variety of classical music offerings in this part of the state."

The Southern Delaware Choral Society is a volunteer organization under a paid director that performs a largely classical repertoire with fall and spring concerts. Paid soloists and instrumentalists are regularly featured. Performances take place throughout southern Delaware.

Photos - Top Right ( l to r): Ann and Richard Freeman and Rebecca McDaniel, who sang the roles of Peep-Bo, Ko-Ko and Katisha respectively. Above left: Retiring Executive Director Beth Hochholzer, Conductor John Ranney who also sang the part of Pooh-Bah and SDCS President Clem Edgar. Middle Photo: Allison Clendaniel who sang the lead role of Yum-Yum and Right Photo: The Mikado - Paul Hanke

The concert version of The Mikado was presented to rave reviews on May 10 and 11 at Delaware Technical and Community College. See the Concert Season page for photos or click slide show.

(If prompted, open the slide show with MS PowerPoint. Please be patient as this large file will take a minute or two to open using a high speed connection. To view the presentation, at the top of the screen, click "Slide Show" and then "View Show".)

Rev. John Ranney's Retirement Celebration

About three dozen SDCS members helped Rev. John Ranney celebrate his retirement from Reformation Lutheran Church in Milford after 30 years of faithful Christian service. It was a wonderful event with many heart-felt tributes shared by church members and the many organizations John worked with over three decades. While John is retiring as a full-time pastor, he will continue as our beloved conductor.

Reformation Lutheran is seeking a Music Director as John wore that "hat" too. Click here to learn more.

Allison Clendaniel presented her Senior Recital on May 25th at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Milford. Allison's program included a diverse repertoire of 14 songs, largely sung in Italian, German and French including works of Handel, Mozart, Strauss, Puccini and Faurè.

At the conclusion of her recital, Allison received a standing ovation and thanked the audience by singing "Summer Time" from Porgy and Bess as an encore.

The Choral Society wishes Allison much success as she furthers her musical knowledge and skills at The Peabody Conservatory of Music this fall.

Welcome Gail!

For the first time in 22 years, the Southern Delaware Choral Society has a new Executive Director as of July 1, 2008. Please visit the Officers and Staff page to meet Gail Launay.

See photos of retiring Executive Director Beth Hochholzer's reception on the Concert Season page.

CD's of the 2007 Messiah Concert are available. See the Concert Season page for details.

Updated 7/16/08 - Send SDCS news and photos to Dan Tabler