The Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus

In keeping with our mission to provide high-quality, family-friendly, affordable classical and light classical concerts for the enrichment and enjoyment of Central Maryland residents of all ages and backgrounds, we’ve set up a non-auditioned community chorus for singers ages 14 to 100 or more! Participation in the chorus requires no audition and no tuition.

The chorus is conducted by veteran chorus master Jeanne Kelly, founder of Encore Creativity for Older Adults and former conductor of the US Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club.

Do YOU want to sing?

Sign up now to join this fun group of music devotees. Chorus Master Jeanne Kelly says that if you can talk you can sing. All rehearsal sessions will include vocal instruction. If you are interested in singing, please contact Jeanne at jeannekelly@naptownphil.org or, between February 1 and February 15, contact Elvia Thompson at elviathompson@naptownphil.org (as Jeanne will be out of the country during that time). We especially welcome tenors, baritones, and basses!

Our first performance this season is planned for Saturday, June 6, at Maryland Hall. It will be part of the Orchestra’s American Voices: United Through Song concert celebrating America’s 250th birthday. We will begin rehearsals on March 23 for our June 6 All-American celebration of the country’s 250th birthday. 

Repertoire

• Stomp Your Foot – Aaron Copland
• This Little Light of Mine – traditional spiritual attributed to Harry Dixon Loes
• Porgy and Bess – George and Ira Gershwin 
• Battle Hymn of the Republic – Julia Ward Howe
• America the Beautiful – Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward

Music and Practice Tracks

Our music distribution event scheduled for Monday, February 23, 6-8pm, was POSTPONED.NEW DATE: MONDAY, MARCH 2, 6-8pm. 

Come pick up your music, pay your fee and ensure that you are registered to sing in the spring session that beings on Monday, March 23. The distribution will be held at Eastport United Methodist Church, 926 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, the site of our rehearsals. Enter through the back door, at the parking lot. 

Singers will be provided with  professionally made practice tracks of your part and your part highlighted with the other parts. This makes learning the music easier and faster. Note: Recorded rehearsal tracks will be emailed to you, so please make sure we have your correct email.

There will be a $30 fee to cover cost of music and rehearsal tracks. The fee must be paid before music is distributed and rehearsal tracks accessed. You may bring a check, cash or credit card when you pick up your music.

If you want to sing but find the fee a challenge, please contact Jeanne Kelly at jeannekelly@naptownphil.org.

Rehearsal Schedule

First rehearsal is scheduled for Monday, March 23 at Eastport United Methodist Church, 926 Bay Ridge Road, Eastport, Annapolis.

Check-ins begin at 6:30pm | Rehearsals begin at 7pm.

We will rehearse every Monday, beginning on March 23 through June 1, EXCEPT we will NOT rehearse on Monday, May 25, Memorial Day.

For more information about the Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and to sign up to sing contact Jeanne Kelly at jeannekelly@naptownphil.org or, between February 1 and February 15, contact Elvia Thompson at elviathompson@naptownphil.org as Jeanne will be out of the country during that time.

About Jeanne Kelly

Ms. Kelly founded Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the largest choral organization for older adults in the country, in Annapolis in 2017. The organization has now grown to over 50 chapters across ten states. Prior to Encore, Ms. Kelly was the conductor of the United States Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club and served as Executive Director of the Levine School of Music, Virginia Campus; Conductor of the Georgetown University Concert Choir; and Voice Instructor at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.

Ms. Kelly has extensive experience as a classical music performer, including with the National Symphony, Washington, DC; Baltimore Symphony; Rochester Philharmonic, Rochester, NY; Annapolis Symphony Orchestra; Washington Opera; Baltimore Opera; Tulsa Opera; Delaware Opera, Wilmington, Delaware; Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Philadelphia; Annapolis Opera; Central City Opera, Colorado; Berlin (Germany) Brass Quintet, Washington, DC; and Bethlehem Bach Festival, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

She holds a Master of Music from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio.

Her awards and honors are many, including the Annie Award, Anne Arundel County Arts Council, 2017; “12 Influencers in Aging,” PBS Next Avenue, 2018; “60 over 60,” HelpAge USA, honoring Americans over 60 years of age who are making significant contributions to society at the local, national or international level, 2022; and the Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Findlay, 1995. Ms. Kelly was the Commencement Speaker at the University of Findlay in 2014.

For more information about the Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and to sign up to sing contact Jeanne Kelly at jeannekelly@naptownphil.org or, between February 1 and February 15, contact Elvia Thompson at elviathompson@naptownphil.org as Jeanne will be out of the country during that time.