| The History of the
Albuquerque Civic Chorus
In 1934 a group of singers, calling themselves the Albuquerque Choral Society, informally organized to practice and perform choral music in the City of Albuquerque. Among its earliest directors were Dr. Kurt Frederick of the University of New Mexico and Dr. Hanz Lang, under whose direction the Chorus sang with the Civic Symphony Orchestra. Subsequent directors have included Dr. Charles Woodul, Roland deRose, Harry R. Hook, Michael Cooke and, presently, Verallen Kleinhenz. Known since 1953 as the Albuquerque Civic Chorus, the group offers Spring and Holiday concert programs, presented at a variety of venues. In the past, the Albuquerque Civic Chorus has performed in Albuquerque for civic functions, at schools, with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and as the opera chorus for productions by the Albuquerque Opera Theater. The Chorus participated in its first performance at Carnegie Hall in May of 2007. The Albuquerque Civic Chorus is truly a community chorus, comprised of approximately fifty volunteers with a diversity of ethnic backgrounds, ages, interests, occupations and experiences. Our members may be diverse in population, but all share a common bond through their joy in singing and bringing music to the public. Supported by contributions from independent donors and membership dues, the Chorus seeks to provide an opportunity to learn and perform choral works of a variety of styles and difficulty. The Chorus welcomes all interested singers. The first few rehearsals of each season are open to interested new members. No audition is required, just a commitment to attending rehearsals and learning new music. |
| Verallen (Vera) Kleinhenz
has been a choir director, organist, music instructor, composer, and
arranger for over 20 years. After studying with Dr. Lee Kjelson at the
University of Miami, she went on to become the Music Director for Air
Force and Navy chapel choirs in California, Mississippi, Arizona, Guam
and New Mexico where she now resides. Vera was also the director of the Keesler Chorale in Biloxi, MS, and the Skylarks at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. On Guam, she served as Assistant Director of the Guam Symphony Chorus and the University of Guam Chamber Singers. She was the soloist for the Guam Territorial Jazz Band that toured the Micronesian Islands frequently. She is the Music Director / Organist at St. Francis Episcopal Church of Rio Rancho. She started with the Albuquerque Civic Chorus as an Assistant Director under Michael Cooke and was selected as Director in 2000. She has written several arrangements for the chorus which have been performed in various concerts. Vera sings with Swing City, a local jazz band, and is also a voice instructor and choral and handbell clinician. Vera is a member of the American Choral Directors Assocation, the Association of Lutheran Musicians, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, the Choristers Guild. and the Albuquerque Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. As a published composer and arranger, she is also a member of ASCAP. She is currently a student in Vocal Performance at the University of New Mexico. |
| Our Music Director |
| Providing a welcoming environment for singers of all levels to share their love of singing, develop their musical abilities and present quality programs to the public. |
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