GSCS presents 'Wondrous Love' concert Nov. 21-22

GSCS Music Director Daniel Roihl will take the baton for two shows later this month. (GSCS photo)

The Granite State Choral Society presents their fall concert "Wondrous Love" on Nov. 21 and 22.

Under the direction of Daniel Roihl, Music Director, GSCS will explore one of the great mysteries of the universe, celebrating the many facets of "Wondrous Love." This upbeat and eclectic program will celebrate the many faces and moods of love, both divine and human, through music in a wide variety of styles and time periods, including classical, gospel, jazz, shapenote, Broadway, and popular hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Performances will be held on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov, 22 at 3 p.m. at the First Church Congregational, 63 South Main St., Rochester. A reception will follow the Sunday concert.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at First United Methodist Church, 34 South Main St., Rochester, Care Pharmacy, 161 South Main St., Rochester, from any Granite State Choral Society member, or online at Brown Paper Tickets.

Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable item to help fill the church pantry in anticipation of the holidays.

Roihl 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 bachelor's degree from Harvard, an master's in music Yale, and a doctorate of music 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. He has served as organist and/or Music Director at the Lexington United Methodist Church, St. James' Episcopal Church in South Pasadena, and the Congregational Church of Topsfield. As a faculty member at Scripps College, Deerfield Academy, USC, and World Mission University, he has taught courses in conducting, choral literature, and music theory.

Granite State Choral Society is a nonauditioned 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. Rehearsals for the choral society will begin on Jan. 10 at the First Church Congregational in Rochester from 4- 6:30 p.m. Registration begins at 3:15 pm on Jan. 10. There are no auditions. Knowledge of how to read music is not a requirement, but may be helpful. Performances are scheduled for April 23, 2016 and April 24, 2016. For more information please call (207) 457-1576 or visit www.gschoralsociety.org.