Music is a universal language. Close your eyes … think about how music and different songs have impacted your life. Music makes hearts soar in houses of worship and brings comfort in times of sorrow. That special song helps couples connect or makes us weep for a love lost. Music feeds our souls. Music nurtures and invokes memories, especially during the holidays. Music and song connect people and bring communities together. Frisco is blessed to have the Frisco Chorale, a group of talented individuals who share their musical gifts locally and even globally.
The Frisco Chorale’s music director, Kendall Carter, says, “The Frisco Chorale was formed in 1994 by founding director, Mr. Don Hermonat, whose vision was to create a civic chorus that would become the Music Ambassadors of Frisco.” From humble beginnings rehearsing in Mr. Hermonat’s home, the Chorale grew from a few original singers to dozens. Mr. Hermonat led the group until his retirement in 2005, at which time the Chorale welcomed its current music director, Mr. Carter.
Mr. Carter shares, “I am in my thirteenth season as music director for the Frisco Chorale. I hold a bachelor of music degree from Hardin-Simmons University, with an emphasis in voice and brass performance and a master’s of music from the University of North Texas, with an emphasis in choral conducting and music theory. My advanced work in conducting includes private studies with Dr. Jerry McCoy, Dr. Loyd Hawthorne, Professor Henry Gibbons and Dr. Maria Guinand. My tenure with the Frisco Chorale includes performances of numerous thematic and seasonal concerts with choir, chamber instrumental ensembles and personal orchestra. We have produced the performances of numerous major choral works, including the Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Vivaldi Gloria, Mozart Requiem, Faure Requiem, Vaughan Williams Hodie, Handel Messiah, Bach Christmas Oratorio, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Shubert Mass in G and Ravel Daphnis et Chloe, Suite 2.” Mr. Carter also serves as the director of music ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington, where he directs ensembles and guides the church’s music and arts ministries. He has held similar positions locally at First United Methodist Church in Frisco and Grace Presbyterian Church in Plano.
For those unfamiliar with the Frisco Chorale, the group has routinely performed a variety of choral genres, including show tunes, holiday classics, patriotic tributes, sacred masterpieces and classic choral literature. The choir partners with arts organizations in promoting and fostering the development of arts in Frisco and the surrounding North Texas area, including collaborations with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, the Irving Symphony Orchestra, the Children’s Chorus of Collin County and the Plano Civic Chorus.
Mr. Carter explains, “The mission of the Frisco Chorale is to thrill, connect and energize audiences with the benefit and blessing of great choral music. We are an independent and inventive civic vocal ensemble presenting classic and modern choral music for the greater North Texas community. We expand the choral by means of concert performance, cultural education, arts partnership and community connection.”
The music itself is also a highlight of the chorus. The best part of the program is the marvelous singers who volunteer their time and energy to the task of making remarkable music. Among the singers, there are those with performance degrees in music, teachers, homemakers, police officers, veterans, accountants, lawyers, medical professionals, restaurant managers and more. “Music brings them together,” Mr. Carter shares.
The holidays would not be the same without music. Music is a symbol of the spirit and celebrations of Christmas, and the Frisco Chorale has six concerts scheduled in December. For the Christmas season, the highlight concert is the annual Positively Christmas Concert. This concert brings together voices of the community with classic and contemporary selections providing Christmas cheer and joy. The Frisco Chorale will be joined this year by the Chancel Choir of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church for an evening of holiday reflections and memories for years to come. This event will take place on December 9, at 7 p.m., at Frisco’s Grace Avenue United Methodist Church. In addition to this concert, the Chorale will offer one performance at the Frisco Senior Center on December 5, at 7 p.m., three performances with the Plano Symphony Orchestra on December 16-17 and one performance for the Frisco Garden Club on December 19. Mark your calendars!
“In addition to our holiday performances, we have a couple special concerts planned for May 2018,” Mr. Carter shares. “In May, our focus will center on two performances of a program titled ‘Let Music Live!’ This dramatic spring concert highlights the glory of music in great depth and musical-textual imagery. The performance engages deeply moving selections and delicate artistry in marking music’s impact on the soul, spirit and mind.”
Presently 50 members strong, Mr. Carter encourages people interested in singing with the Frisco Chorale to participate in auditions that are held each August and January. Patrons are encouraged to support the Frisco Chorale by attending concerts held throughout the year and financial contributions are always welcome. Audition and upcoming performance information can be found atrfacebook.com/friscochorale.
The Frisco Chorale is a community-based civic chorus and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The group relies on support from grant funding and donations for operating expenses. They partner with the Frisco Association for the Arts and share in promoting the arts in Frisco and the surrounding North Texas area.
Mr. Carter concludes, “Everything about this group is special. We specialize in bringing joy to others through song. Music is a language all its own. The ability to express one message as a group … to move together artistically, emotionally and musically, is rewarding on so many levels. The Frisco Chorale is one of our city’s finest treasures, with a unique and rich history spanning two decades.”
Plan to attend one or more of the Frisco Chorale’s holiday concerts. What a great way to celebrate the season and hear spectacular, festive music!