“I always come away from rehearsal feeling centered and connected. It’s a much needed joy!” — Stacey Charbonneau
“I sing to connect with all family and friends, past and present, with whom I have raised my voice in joy, protest, sadness and hope.” — Diana Wasserman
“When we sing in a choir, we are all communicating the same ideas as one, and there is a definite sense of belonging and community.” — Seth Taylor
“Singing is a universal language that brings people together. Whether you sing or listen, it touches many people in many ways.” — Cynthia Hanslik
These are quotes from members of the Acton Community Chorus (ACC). ACC is celebrating its 40th anniversary this spring with their concert titled “Thanks for the Memories” on June 1st and 2nd at the Nashoba Brooks School in Concord. The music is a selection of favorite hits from the last forty years of concerts.
The no-audition chorus was founded in 1984 by Selma Garber and Susan Kranz to help celebrate Acton’s 250th anniversary in 1985. They had so much fun, they decided to keep going. Paul Johnson, the music director, and Susan Bishov, the accompanist, were there from the beginning. Paul retired from the chorus in 2015, an incredible 30-year tenure. Susan Bishov stayed on for an additional year to help with the transition to their next music director, Jenny Cooper. Jenny served as music director for five years and, after she moved on, her wife, Lisa Cooper, took over. Edward Rosser has been their accompanist since 2016.
There have been many varied concerts over the last 40 years, with music spanning genres from classical, contemporary, and Americana, to rock, Broadway and more. Acton Community Chorus’ approximately eighty members hail from Acton and 13 surrounding communities including Littleton, Concord, Groton, Maynard, Stow, Westford, and Ayer.
Over the years, Acton Community Chorus has been a part of many of the area’s community celebrations. Their first concert was for Acton’s 250th anniversary opening ceremony, where they sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Other highlights have included: performing at the Acton-Boxborough Jamboree several times; Christmas caroling in the community; hosting Messiah sing-a-longs; performing at the opening of the new Acton Town Hall in 1988, and at the Dedication to the Acton Memorial Library’s 100th year in 1990; singing at numerous nursing homes and senior centers for those who cannot get out to a concert; and opening the Worcester Sox minor league baseball game with “America the Beautiful” and the national anthem.
The Acton Community Chorus has been recognized by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate several times for its contribution to the arts.
The chorus managed to stay together during the pandemic. While they could not sing in person, they moved to Zoom for lessons from Lisa Cooper, their Music Director, on topics such as reading music and understanding rhythms, and a holiday sing-along. Ed Roser, the accompanist, played a concert over Zoom. Cindy Hanslik also hosted, playing DJ with recordings from our favorite concerts and leading a trivia night. ACC was also able to bring in Bryce and Kathryn Denney for a Driveway Choir event in April of 2021. Their first post-pandemic performance in person was in May of 2022, with a concert called “Why We Sing.”
Concert information: Thanks for the Memories
Saturday, June 1 at 7:00pm
Sunday, June 2 at 4:00pm
Nashoba Brooks School’s Tucker Auditorium
Tickets: Adults $25, K-12 Students Free
To find out more about the chorus and their upcoming concert, visit their website.
Beth Imhoff is the President of the Acton Community Chorus.