Choral group presents patriotic-themed concerts in Portsmouth, Rochester

Granite State Choral Society is a non-auditioned community chorus dedicated to presenting quality choral performances, ranging in styles from classics to Broadway. (Courtesy photo)

The Granite State Choral Society will present their fall concert "A Patriot's Dream" on Nov. 23 at New Frontiers Church on Gosling Road in Portsmouth and Nov. 24 at First Church Congregational on South Main Street in Rochester.

Both concerts will feature patriotic numbers, songs from the Civil War era, remembrances of the fallen, and songs and prayers for peace under the direction of Daniel Roihl, Music Director.

Roihl, a conductor, performer, composer and educator, has spent the past 20 years sharing his infectious passion for the musical arts with audiences, students, and collaborators of all ages, disciplines, and experience levels.

He holds a B.A. from Harvard, an M.M. from Yale, and a D.M.A. from the University of Southern California. He was the founding conductor of the Concordia Society Chamber Choir, the Winthrop House Chamber Choir and Orchestra, and the Deerfield Choral Society, and has also directed the Toscanini Chamber Orchestra, the Elm City Girls Choir, and various choral ensembles at Deerfield Academy, Scripps College, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Southern California.

The Portsmouth concert begins at 7:30 p.m., while the Rochester show begins at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at New Frontiers Church, First Church Congregational, online at http://www.gschoralsociety.org/concerts-and-events/, or from any GSCS member. Students(with a valid ID) and veterans (active or non-active with a military ID) may purchase a discounted $10 ticket.

Granite State Choral Society is a non-auditioned community chorus dedicated to presenting quality choral performances, ranging in styles from classics to Broadway, and to promoting the appreciation of the choral arts. The members come from all walks of life from ages 12 and up, and range from experienced singers to novices just discovering the joys of choral singing.

GSCS encourages singers to join them in the spring when they will be performing music of Broadway. Rehearsals will begin on Sunday, January 19 at the First Church Congregational in Rochester from 4:00 - 6:30 pm. Registration begins at 3:15 pm on January 19. There are no auditions. Knowledge of how to read music is not a requirement, but may be helpful. For more information please visit www.gschoralsociety.org.