Testimonials

I have always loved choral music and feel that it speaks to me in a way that no other music can. So when I first joined SCCC, I expected to enjoy the music. As a stay at home mom, I also thought it would be a good opportunity for a night out. What I didn't expect to find were all of the friendships. What a blessing! I have met people from all over the county, all at different stages of life. Without this group, we probably would have never met, much less become friends. Not only have I formed beautiful friendships, but we are able to connect in a unique way because we're singing together. From our amazing Conductor, to the members of The Board, to each and every choral member, SCCC is full of people who love music and work diligently to bring quality music to Sullivan County. I am privileged to work with such talented, kind, humble, and supportive people.

I love singing with the Sullivan County Community Chorus.  No matter how hectic or stressful the week is, come Thursday night chorus cheers me (and others) up, and puts me in a good mood.  The director and accompanist push us just enough so that we excel and succeed but not so much that we don't have fun.  We have a blast and are a family.

At chorus each year we meet new members and renew old friendships.  Strangers become new friends, and over time become old friends, who all get together to share the experience of making music together. I enjoy being introduced to choral masterpieces and learning to appreciate them (even if I don’t like them, although most of the time I do) No matter how your day or week has been going, for this one night we get to put the world in harmony. I enjoy being uncomfortable, being challenged, and often wonder if we will ever conquer the music. The special feeling of singing in chorus cannot be described, it has to be experienced.

I enjoy singing with the SC Community Chorus because I’m a musician and I enjoy learning new music. We do interesting selections. I have a lousy voice. Nowhere else can I get away with singing. I enjoy watching Kevin’s antics while he is conducting so well. I get to meet beautiful new people in the community. It’s a lot of fun.

The chorus is a personal connection to my parents and grandparents, who have significant musical backgrounds. I have sung in choirs and choruses all my life. This experience caps (to date) a lifelong musical experience that calms my soul and raises my spirit! Make a joyful noise!

I have been singing with the chorus on and off for 20 years or so. I love the camaraderie during the rehearsals more than the performance itself. That's for your pleasure! I keep coming back because it stretches me as a singer and enhances my solo performance at church and on the praise and worship team.

While in high school I was “recruited” by Marty Banner for the chorus during 1978, and other than absences for college and some serious health concerns, have enjoyed every season. The rehearsing and performance of touching and moving choral works has always been uplifting. Being a member of this ensemble has become so much more meaningful, as members of this group are my friends and like another family to me. As a child, I was told “Singing is good for you,” and for years now I have looked forward to my weekly therapy sessions which other members simply call rehearsal, where much of the stress of everyday existence, both mundane and serious, seems to be replaced by harmony and a sense of contentment. We are truly blessed as both our Conductor and Accompanist are of the highest caliber, and ensure rehearsals are productive and fun at the same time. Call it what you will, but I cannot imagine what my life would be like without this group of likeminded souls. I hope others who enjoy choral singing may come join our merry band, and experience this special bond firsthand.

Chorus rehearsal night is my favorite night of the week! Not only do I love to sing with a chorus, but I love the fun we have at rehearsal. We work hard, but we laugh a lot!! The chorus is a great group of people to hang out with.

Music has always been a big part of my life. After starting our family, music took a backseat for a while. Then in February of 2009 I began to search for a group to join and I came across this chorus. Little did I know that it would become so much more than a hobby or my weekly night out. I grew to truly love this group and the satisfaction of putting on a beautiful concert after working so hard all season. And I've grown to love the people in the group. I look forward to seeing everyone every week, and in the off-season I miss them all. It never gets boring or stagnant, and I continue to learn and to grow as a musician every season. My "hobby" has become a huge part of my life. I am Rebeckah Decker: wife, mother, member and treasurer of the Sullivan County Community Chorus. I'm a Lifer.

Coming to SCCC has added something special to the tail end of my week. I am usually exhausted by Thursday night, but singing quality music for a few hours with such neat folks is worth it. Everyone is so friendly, and singing helps me connect with a part of myself that I can’t always attend to during my day as an instrumental teacher.

I absolutely love singing in the choir. It is like a second family to me. Kevin and Keira are the best! They are always willing to help when we need it. I am so grateful to be part of this awesome group!

I think choristers in general are upbeat, pleasant people to be with. The team effort involved in mastering a piece of music is very rewarding, and the focus, breath control, and soul soothing vibrations of the music rejuvenate me. But the thing that sets this chorus apart for me is the raw musical and teaching talent of our director, Kevin Giroux and the skills of our accompanist, Keira Weyant. They work incredibly well together and coax us to ever higher levels each season. It's just flat out a fun group and experience.

Kevin Giroux is a master at choosing just the right repertoire that at once inspires and challenges us as musicians!  Who doesn't appreciate the masters such as Mozart and Bach? And yet, we have also performed a variety of gorgeous works by the likes of John Rutter, and current composers such as Dan Forrest and Eric Whitacre. But by far the BEST part about being a member of the SCCC is the laughter and welcoming, family-like atmosphere. It has done my soul good. I LOVE this group! 

I am blessed to have found the Sullivan County Community Chorus. I was nervous at first going to my first rehearsal, hoping that I would finally find the place for me to fit in that I had been in search of in the Hudson Valley for 5 years. The welcoming, fun, "my kind of sense of humor" nature of the group instantly had me hooked and they welcomed me with open arms, no questions asked. I look forward to rehearsals to be with the people I now have the privilege of calling friends. I used to look forward to Fridays...now the highlight of my week is Thursdays. Thursdays are my get out of the house stress relief, thanks to this group of talented and fun folks. Is it Thursday yet?!?! And who's going to Charlie's?!?!

Singing with SCCC gives me an opportunity to soar the peaks of emotion and transcend the depths by becoming something "bigger than life" with singing friends.

I have made some great friends through chorus. It feels great to get to experience music again. It brings back fun memories as I make even better ones!

Never would I have imagined the joy I have experienced in participating in the chorus. For a few hours every week I can escape the outside world and bask in the joyful music that surrounds me. Sometimes I just listen to the voices that are around me and marvel at the beautiful gifts I feel privileged to share in.

I enjoy learning new songs. There are many songs I'm sure I never would have been exposed to if I were not a member of this chorus. I also like the challenge of difficult harmonies and hearing how my part fits in with the others.

I am so glad I decided to join SCCC. Singing has been a major part of my life, but I had not sung for a long time until recently. The level of music-making, from the direction and accompanying, to the overall vocal quality, has been both a real joy and an amazing discovery. I am very grateful to be a part of this special musical family.

I always enjoyed singing, so when a friend told me of SCCC, I jumped at the chance to join. Singing with friends in rich four part plus harmony gives me a great sense of joy, satisfaction, and accomplishment. I feel privileged and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful experience as singing with the Sullivan County Community Chorus.

As a mother of two young children, I found the need for a personal hobby. This choir not only filled the need for adult company and conversation, it really gives a sense of community.