The Oak Ridge Chorus presents its first concert of the 2018–2019 season on Saturday, December 1, 7:30 PM, at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge. Featured on the program are David Ensley and Melony Dodson performing on the Möller Pipe Organ, and the public is invited to join in the celebration during two sing-alongs.

Music for Royalty: Celebrations of the British Monarchy "will make you feel like royalty,” exclaimed Chorus Director Jaclyn Johnson. “Throughout its history, music has been a central element of every coronation, birthday celebration, and memorial service. From the Catholic and Protestant church services of the Renaissance period, to the Coronation Anthems of Handel, to the funeral of Princess Diana, choral music has played a part.”

Concert goers will experience the immense 1984 M.P. Möller Pipe Organ (console renovations 2007 by Milnar) with IV Manuals, 49 ranks, and 2,795 pipes.

“A unique element of British choral music,” Johnson continues, “is the importance of the church organ. Composers brought out the very best in this instrument during the Victorian era. The organ became a spectacular musical character that had a personality of its own, and this virtuoso writing can be heard in the performance of Sir C. Hubert H. Parry’s I was glad.”

True to the spirit of the season, the Oak Ridge Chorus concert will also include two sing-alongs with the audience. The Oak Ridge Chorus is a community ensemble, welcoming all to participate. Anyone interested in joining is highly encouraged to contact the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association (ORCMA) at 865-483-5568 or by email at office@orcma.org for more information.

Seasonal support for the Oak Ridge Chorus is provided by Dr. Chuck Darling in memory of Dorothy Weight. Information and tickets are available online at www.ORCMA.org, or by calling 865-483-5569. Adult admission is $15, and Young Adult (ages 19-29) admission is $5. The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association is a proud participant in the Penny4Arts initiative, providing free admission to Youth 18 & Under to all ORCMA concerts during the 2018–2019 season.

Additional seasonal support for the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association is provided by Spectra Tech, Bill Schwenterly, the Feldman Family, the University of Tennessee - Battelle/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, James Rome, Tom & Effie Carlson Estate, the Tennessee Arts Commission and WUOT FM 91.9