A Brief History of the Pemi Choral Society
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 officially been launched.
Our Choral Society had its genesis at a meeting of arts enthusiasts held in the spring of 1973. Gathering to discuss ways to enhance the limited arts offerings in the region, two participants – Katherine Hillier and Vivian Norwood -- took on the task of creating a choral group while the remaining five participants went on to develop visual fine arts programs, including artistic displays and stage performances. Thus, two organizations were born: Plymouth Friends of the Arts provided programs for several decades; the Pemigewasset Choral Society is still going strong, providing the opportunity for adults to sing under professional leadership. Katherine Hillier, one of the two original organizers, is still singing with the chorus.
By October of 1973, the groundwork had been laid. Dr. Earl Norwood, chair of the Plymouth State College music department, had agreed to volunteer his services for one year. Catherine Dornin, a local pianist, would serve as accompanist. Dozens of phone calls, letters and meetings had encouraged singer participation; the Parks and Recreation Department had agreed to sponsor the society, allowing free use of the music room at the Plymouth High School.
On a Monday evening in October, over 80 singers gathered for the first time in the Plymouth High School music room. One of the pieces sung was by the German composer Johannes Brahms; another was in Latin. The message was clear: this was to be a group willing to sing serious music. The next Monday brought fewer than half the singers from the week before. The remaining group met weekly for the following months, with a few more dropouts on the way. And on May 12, 1974, at our first performance, it was clear that months of rehearsing were worth all the effort.
The early years were characterized by high member involvement, and steady growth in membership and reputation. Funds needed to be raised to cover music costs and salaries, prompting some creative adventures. In 1974 and 1975 a “House of Horrors” was staged at the Grange Hall located on South Main Street, where Rite Aid is today. Choral society members became ghouls, witches, and corpses and for a small fee scared local youth on Halloween. Grants received from the State Arts Council resulted in concerts at many of the state’s institutions, including the New Hampshire State Prison, Glencliff Home for the Elderly, and the Laconia State School.
At the end of our fifth season, in the spring of 1978, the Board regretfully accepted the resignation of Dr. Earl Norwood, who had accepted a prominent position at the University of Tennessee. At the same time, the demands of a growing family resulted in the resignation of Catherine Dornin, our excellent accompanist. Under their direction the Choral Society had become an established presence: membership had grown to fifty, audiences had steadily grown in size, and concerts were received with enthusiasm.
What to do? Choral Society members went to work, and by early fall had secured both a director and accompanist. Douglas Renfroe had a strong background in music performance, and became our second director; Robert Bates, an impressive pianist, became our second accompanist. The show could go on! But it was a brief reprieve. At the conclusion of the 1979 spring performances, we wished Douglas Renfroe well in his new full-time position in another state.
Dr. Robert Swift, his wife Margot Swift and their two children had recently moved to this area; he had become Chairman of the Department of Music at Plymouth State College. A few of the members met to ask him to consider becoming the Choral Society’s director. To our delight, he agreed. The following year, Robert Bates retired – and Margot, a wonderful pianist, became the accompanist.
For over thirty years, members of the Pemigewasset Choral Society had the pleasure of singing with the Swifts at the helm. Bob brought humor to every rehearsal, and introduced a wide range of music. Margot never missed a beat, and both were an inspiration. Under their leadership “The Pemi” became a solid and consistent presence. Three concerts were given in the fall and spring at various locations in the region; the final concert each season was held at Silver Hall, in Plymouth. The Pemi grew to 120+ singers, collectively traveling thousands of miles each week to attend rehearsals. Bringing its music to wider audiences included performances beyond our region, and in Canada and the British Isles.
In December of 2011, the Swifts gave their final performances. In gratitude for their service, chorus members established the Swift Scholarship for music students at Plymouth State University.
The following years brought many changes. When the Swifts’ retired in 2011, Rob St. Cyr became Music Director along with accompanist Hannah Kim. In the fall of 2012 -- the end of our 40th season -- Leslie McDonnell, a talented life-long singer, music educator, performer and member of the chorus, became The Pemi’s Director. William Gunn, the music director at Plymouth Regional High School, joined her as Assistant Director, and Catherine Dornin was welcomed back as accompanist. In the fall of 2014, Grace Templeton, a high school junior and gifted pianist, became our accompanist for her last two years at Plymouth High School. In the fall of 2016 Laura Belanger, a well-known pianist and organist, became our talented accompanist. While membership of the chorus had dropped in 2012, new leadership and young members brought new energy and enthusiasm.
In the spring of 2017 William Gunn and Leslie McDonnell changed roles, with Will becoming the Director. Leslie served as Assistant Director for the next year, before moving on to new ventures.
All was going well -- and then, unexpectedly, our lives were turned upside down. In March of 2020, New Hampshire had its first confirmed COVID case; soon a state of emergency banned gatherings of 50 or more. For the first and only year, we were unable to sing with each other in person – but in the fall, Will had us singing on Zoom.
In the early spring of 2021, a new approach was tried. With hats, coats, mittens and face masks, we gathered in the small amphitheater in Plymouth by the Pemigewasset River, and rehearsed there for the next few months. What a joy to be together again! In June we joined forces with the New Hampshire Master Chorale, and presented two outdoor concerts at the Riverside amphitheater. “Gather at the River” will long be remembered. In the fall of 2021, we returned to Silver Hall, masks and all, and sang in December to spirited audiences.
We have so much to appreciate. Laura is welcoming, and a talented pianist and organist. Will brings considerable skills to Pemi. He has received many accolades and awards, including the 2023 Choral Director of the year in New Hampshire. His enthusiasm, energy, sense of humor and excellent music choices keep us all engaged.
Throughout the years, many dedicated individuals have served the chorus on its board of directors. A list of the board presidents from 1974 on can be found on the choir’s website, as well as posters from a variety of past concerts.
This year, in 2023-2024, the Pemigewasset Choral Society celebrates over fifty years of song, and continues our purpose of bringing a variety of significant music to enthusiastic audiences.
We look forward to the years ahead!
50th Anniversary Committee
Kathy Hillier and Dan Hale, Co-Chairs
Ginny Barunas, Phyllis Corrigan, Mary Hazelton, Woodie Laverack, Lea A. Stewart
Susan Scrimshaw, Ex-officio
May, 2024
Our Choral Society had its genesis at a meeting of arts enthusiasts held in the spring of 1973. Gathering to discuss ways to enhance the limited arts offerings in the region, two participants – Katherine Hillier and Vivian Norwood -- took on the task of creating a choral group while the remaining five participants went on to develop visual fine arts programs, including artistic displays and stage performances. Thus, two organizations were born: Plymouth Friends of the Arts provided programs for several decades; the Pemigewasset Choral Society is still going strong, providing the opportunity for adults to sing under professional leadership. Katherine Hillier, one of the two original organizers, is still singing with the chorus.
By October of 1973, the groundwork had been laid. Dr. Earl Norwood, chair of the Plymouth State College music department, had agreed to volunteer his services for one year. Catherine Dornin, a local pianist, would serve as accompanist. Dozens of phone calls, letters and meetings had encouraged singer participation; the Parks and Recreation Department had agreed to sponsor the society, allowing free use of the music room at the Plymouth High School.
On a Monday evening in October, over 80 singers gathered for the first time in the Plymouth High School music room. One of the pieces sung was by the German composer Johannes Brahms; another was in Latin. The message was clear: this was to be a group willing to sing serious music. The next Monday brought fewer than half the singers from the week before. The remaining group met weekly for the following months, with a few more dropouts on the way. And on May 12, 1974, at our first performance, it was clear that months of rehearsing were worth all the effort.
The early years were characterized by high member involvement, and steady growth in membership and reputation. Funds needed to be raised to cover music costs and salaries, prompting some creative adventures. In 1974 and 1975 a “House of Horrors” was staged at the Grange Hall located on South Main Street, where Rite Aid is today. Choral society members became ghouls, witches, and corpses and for a small fee scared local youth on Halloween. Grants received from the State Arts Council resulted in concerts at many of the state’s institutions, including the New Hampshire State Prison, Glencliff Home for the Elderly, and the Laconia State School.
At the end of our fifth season, in the spring of 1978, the Board regretfully accepted the resignation of Dr. Earl Norwood, who had accepted a prominent position at the University of Tennessee. At the same time, the demands of a growing family resulted in the resignation of Catherine Dornin, our excellent accompanist. Under their direction the Choral Society had become an established presence: membership had grown to fifty, audiences had steadily grown in size, and concerts were received with enthusiasm.
What to do? Choral Society members went to work, and by early fall had secured both a director and accompanist. Douglas Renfroe had a strong background in music performance, and became our second director; Robert Bates, an impressive pianist, became our second accompanist. The show could go on! But it was a brief reprieve. At the conclusion of the 1979 spring performances, we wished Douglas Renfroe well in his new full-time position in another state.
Dr. Robert Swift, his wife Margot Swift and their two children had recently moved to this area; he had become Chairman of the Department of Music at Plymouth State College. A few of the members met to ask him to consider becoming the Choral Society’s director. To our delight, he agreed. The following year, Robert Bates retired – and Margot, a wonderful pianist, became the accompanist.
For over thirty years, members of the Pemigewasset Choral Society had the pleasure of singing with the Swifts at the helm. Bob brought humor to every rehearsal, and introduced a wide range of music. Margot never missed a beat, and both were an inspiration. Under their leadership “The Pemi” became a solid and consistent presence. Three concerts were given in the fall and spring at various locations in the region; the final concert each season was held at Silver Hall, in Plymouth. The Pemi grew to 120+ singers, collectively traveling thousands of miles each week to attend rehearsals. Bringing its music to wider audiences included performances beyond our region, and in Canada and the British Isles.
In December of 2011, the Swifts gave their final performances. In gratitude for their service, chorus members established the Swift Scholarship for music students at Plymouth State University.
The following years brought many changes. When the Swifts’ retired in 2011, Rob St. Cyr became Music Director along with accompanist Hannah Kim. In the fall of 2012 -- the end of our 40th season -- Leslie McDonnell, a talented life-long singer, music educator, performer and member of the chorus, became The Pemi’s Director. William Gunn, the music director at Plymouth Regional High School, joined her as Assistant Director, and Catherine Dornin was welcomed back as accompanist. In the fall of 2014, Grace Templeton, a high school junior and gifted pianist, became our accompanist for her last two years at Plymouth High School. In the fall of 2016 Laura Belanger, a well-known pianist and organist, became our talented accompanist. While membership of the chorus had dropped in 2012, new leadership and young members brought new energy and enthusiasm.
In the spring of 2017 William Gunn and Leslie McDonnell changed roles, with Will becoming the Director. Leslie served as Assistant Director for the next year, before moving on to new ventures.
All was going well -- and then, unexpectedly, our lives were turned upside down. In March of 2020, New Hampshire had its first confirmed COVID case; soon a state of emergency banned gatherings of 50 or more. For the first and only year, we were unable to sing with each other in person – but in the fall, Will had us singing on Zoom.
In the early spring of 2021, a new approach was tried. With hats, coats, mittens and face masks, we gathered in the small amphitheater in Plymouth by the Pemigewasset River, and rehearsed there for the next few months. What a joy to be together again! In June we joined forces with the New Hampshire Master Chorale, and presented two outdoor concerts at the Riverside amphitheater. “Gather at the River” will long be remembered. In the fall of 2021, we returned to Silver Hall, masks and all, and sang in December to spirited audiences.
We have so much to appreciate. Laura is welcoming, and a talented pianist and organist. Will brings considerable skills to Pemi. He has received many accolades and awards, including the 2023 Choral Director of the year in New Hampshire. His enthusiasm, energy, sense of humor and excellent music choices keep us all engaged.
Throughout the years, many dedicated individuals have served the chorus on its board of directors. A list of the board presidents from 1974 on can be found on the choir’s website, as well as posters from a variety of past concerts.
This year, in 2023-2024, the Pemigewasset Choral Society celebrates over fifty years of song, and continues our purpose of bringing a variety of significant music to enthusiastic audiences.
We look forward to the years ahead!
50th Anniversary Committee
Kathy Hillier and Dan Hale, Co-Chairs
Ginny Barunas, Phyllis Corrigan, Mary Hazelton, Woodie Laverack, Lea A. Stewart
Susan Scrimshaw, Ex-officio
May, 2024