Pemigewasset Choral Society

 (written by Katherine Hillier - Choral Society Archivist, a current and original member)

 On May 12, 1974 a group of 29 nervous singers gathered in the College Union Building at Plymouth State College.  An audience of 35 family members also gathered—not perhaps exactly by choice, but at least curious to hear the result of six months of weekly rehearsals.  An hour later, as the last of five selections concluded, the enthusiasm of performers and audience alike was tangible.  The Pemigewasset Choral Society had been launched. 

Organized in the fall of 1973, the choral society had its genesis at a meeting of arts enthusiasts held earlier that spring.  Meeting to discuss ways to enhance the limited arts offerings in the region, participants went on to organize both Plymouth Friends of the Arts and the choral society.  Dr. Earl Norwood, then Associate Professor of Music at Plymouth State College, ably served until 1978 as the Choral Society’s first director, providing the first opportunity in many decades for adults in central New Hampshire to sing under professional leadership.

Since 1979, Pemi has been fortunate to have as its director Dr. Robert Swift, Professor of Music at Plymouth State University, with  Margot Swift serving as accompanist since 1980.  Under Dr. Swift’s gifted leadership, “Pemi” has grown to over 130 singers who collectively travel thousands of miles each week for rehearsals.  Members range from college students to octogenarians, and represent a wide variety of occupations.  The group performs a varied repertoire of classical works and selections, folk, and show tunes.  No auditions are held; the only membership requirement is a love of singing, the ability to sing on key, and the commitment to attend weekly rehearsals.

The Pemigewasset Choral Society is pleased to have shared its music in nearly 240 concerts in central New Hampshire, often singing to capacity crowds in large auditoriums.  Bringing its music to an even wider audience has been possible with performances at the Eastern Division of Music Educators National Conference in New York State, at the State House in Concord, and by special performances aired on the international short wave Voice of America, on WCSH-TV in Portland, Maine, and on Iowa Public Television. Pemi has also had the privilege of taking its music abroad, offering programs in England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
The 2010-2011 concert year marks the 38^th anniversary season of the Pemigewasset Choral Society.