Grand Island Community Chorus News Page
2006 - 2007 - 2008

Director - Carolyn Lokken
Rehearsal Location
2100 Whitehaven Rd.
Grand Island, NY 14072
Rehearsals, 7 p.m. Tuesday nights

Community Chorus News 2009

"Official Grand Island Community Chorus Website"











Community Chorus To Present Third Holiday Concert - Dec. 2008
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, will present its third Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY. The program will feature a wide variety of musical hits, along with the traditional seasonal favorites. There will be door prizes and refreshments after the concert. There is no charge for the concert.
   To place an ad in the holiday concert program, email maurywalsh@yahoo.com



Concert Announced
Join The GI Community Chorus - Oct. 2008
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, rehearses every Sunday at 7 p.m. at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. All singers are welcome to join, especially current and former students of Mrs. Lokken. Members of GICC will present their next concert on December 7 at Trinity UM Church, Whitehaven Road. Admission is always free, with door prizes and refreshments to follow.
   The Community Chorus are also rehearsing for the Thanksgiving Ecumenical service being held St. Timothy Church on Staley Road, 7 p.m. Sunday, November 23, 2008. The Ecumenical service is always followed by refreshments.




Community Chorus Back To Rehearsals - Sept. 2008
   The Grand Island Community Chorus under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, will resume rehearsals on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at Historic Trinity UM Church. All singers are invited to join.




Community Chorus Receives Standing Ovation - 2008

Christine Stange Photo
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, performed a summer concert at the Grand Island High School auditorium Thursday, August 7. Also performing were the Grand Island schools summer bands - elementary, middle school and high school. Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by the Community Chorus and Community Wind Ensemble, drew a standing ovation. The Community Chorus is open to all and a rehearsal schedule will be announced soon.




Community Chorus Summer Concert - August 7, 2008
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, directed by Carolyn Lokken, will present a summer concert at the Grand Island High School auditorium on Thursday, August 7 at 7 p.m. The Chorus will be performing with the Grand Island schools summer bands - elementary, middle school and high school. Admission is free.














Summer Concert Planned
Community Chorus Invites GIHS Singers To Rehearsals - May 2008
   The Grand Island Community Chorus has resumed rehearsals on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at Historic Trinity UM Church. The Chorus is preparing for a summer concert to be presented on Thursday, August 7th. Mrs. Carolyn Lokken has requested former and current Grand Island High School students to join the group for this summer concert.




Community Chorus Concert Draws Record Crowd - 2008

By Christine Stange
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, under the admirable direction of Carolyn Lokken, performed its 2008 Swing into Spring Concert on Sunday, May 4th at St. Stephen Church on Baseline Road. Ms. Kathy Pollard, recognized Island pianist, provided accompaniment for the performance. Concert selections included It Had to be You, I Got the Sun in the Morning, Danny Boy and No Man is an Island. The Grand Island High School Women’s Chorus, “Women of Note,” performed as special guests at the concert. Word has definitely spread that our town has many beautiful voices as the performers sang to a full house audience. Summer session Community Chorus rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at Historic Trinity Church beginning Tuesday, June 3rd. All singers High School age and above are welcome to join the group. For further information call Jim Watz at 773-5075.




Community Chorus To Present "Swing Into Spring" - May 2008
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, directed by Carolyn Lokken, will perform a concert, "Swing Into Spring," 7 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2008 at St. Stephen's Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Music from several Broadway shows, including "The Wiz", "Wicked," and "The Wizard of Oz" will be presented, along with other American music selections. Guest performers are "Women of Note" from Grand Island High School. Refreshments will be offered after the concert and door prizes are available. Admission is free although a free will offering will be accepted.



Community Chorus Back To Rehearsals - Jan. 2008
   Rehearsals for the Grand Island Community Chorus, conducted by Carolyn Lokkin, resume at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 10 at Historic Trinity UM Church, 2100 Whitehaven Rd. All singers are welcome.




Island Community Chorus Concert December 2nd
Reception, Door Prizes To Follow - 2007
   The Grand Island Community Chorus will present a concert, "Winterlude," at 7 p.m. Sunday, December 2, 2007 in St.Stephen's Catholic Church, 2100 Baseline Road. Grand Island High School graduate Jim Wright, currently majoring in Music Education at Fredonia, will be guest soloist, performing four Blue Mountain ballads.
   The concert will be followed by a reception with door prizes and admission is free.




Community Chorus Rehearsing For Concert - Oct. 2007
   Rehearsals for the Grand Island Community Chorus, conducted by Carolyn Lokkin, are scheduled for 7 p.m. every Sunday at historic Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Their next concert will be held at 7 p.m. on December 2, 2007 at St. Stephen's Church, 2100 Baseline Road.




Community Chorus Resumes Rehearsals - Sept. 2007
   The Community Chorus has resumed rehearsals again at 7 p.m. every Sunday, beginning September 16, 2007 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. All singers are welcome. A concert date will be announced soon.




Community Chorus Presents 4th Concert August 9th - 2007
   Thursday, July 26, 2007 . . . The Grand Island Community Chorus will present its 4th concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 9 in the Grand Island High School auditorium. The program will include a collection of American music from minstrel to folk music to "Abide With Me." The Community Chorus has selected guest director, Jim Wright, a former student of Carolyn Lokken, and Grand Island High School graduate, Class of 2004. Jim will be a senior at Fredonia this year with a major in Music Education.
   The evening will also feature the following community bands: elementary and intermediate bands directed by Craig Poissant and Mike Robertson, assisted by Carrie Piazza; and a Select Wind Ensemble directed by Marty Allen. The concert is admission free.




Community Chorus Announces August Concert - 2007
   Thursday, June 21, 2007 . . . The GI Community Chorus, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, will present its third concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2007 in the Grand Island High School auditorium. The Chorus will be joined by the Grand Island Community Band. Community Chorus rehearsals continue on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road.




New Members Welcome to Join Community Chorus - 2007
   Thursday, June 7, 2007 . . . The GI Community Chorus began rehearsals this week for a summer concert to be scheduled sometime in August 2007. Chorus Director Carolyn Lokken encourages high school and college students to join the chorus for this concert while they're home on summer break. Anyone who likes to sing is also invited to join. Rehearsals continue on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road.




Community Chorus Concert A Classy Affair - May 2007

Christine Stange Photo - Click photo for larger view
   The Grand Island Community Chorus, growing in number by leaps and bounds, presented its third concert on Sunday, May 6, 2007 in St. Stephen's Church, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken. The concert was titled " Swing Into Spring," and was followed by a lovely reception. For the complete membership list (as of today!) and program selections, see "Community Chorus Roster."




Community Chorus Concert May 6th - 2007

Click photos for larger view
   The Grand Island Community Chorus will perform its third concert on Sunday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's Church, 2100 Baseline Road, under the direction of Carolyn Lokken, choral director at Grand Island High School. Mrs. Lokken was recently named as Educator of the Year by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. Admission to the concert is free.




Grand Island Community Chorus Announces Chorus Director - March 2007

   The Grand Island Community Chorus is very pleased to announce that Carolyn Lokken has accepted the position of director of the Chorus.
   Mrs. Lokken is in her twenty-fifth year of teaching music. She has taught vocal music in the Grand Island School District for the past fourteen years, where she directs the Choir, Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, The Dominant Force (a gentlemen's ensemble) and Vocal Jazz ensemble. She also teaches classes in voice, Music Theory and AP Music Theory.
   Her choirs at the High School have consistently earned numerous Gold and Gold With Distinction Awards at NYSSMA Major Organization festivals. They have performed for the New York State School Board Association, the Buffalo Choral Arts Society and with the Syracuse University Chamber Singers.
   Mrs. Lokken received her Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College and has furthered her studies at SUNY at Buffalo, Fredonia and Potsdam, as well as Temple University and Westminster Choir College. She is a member of NYSSMA, MENC and ACDA. She has guest conducted All-County Choruses in Western New York and the Finger Lakes region. She has been named in Who's Who Among America's Teachers and Who's Who Among American Women, and has been nominated for a Disney Teacher Award. In 2004, Mrs. Lokken received the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/Erie County Council of Music Coordinators Award for excellence in Choral Music Education.
   Mrs. Lokken's vision for the Grand Island Community Chorus is to appeal to all ages and encourage members of the community to participate in the Chorus. New members are welcome.
   The Grand Island Community Chorus is fortunate to have such a talented lady as director. Her first concert with the Chorus will be Sunday, May 6, 2007, at St. Stephen's Church on Grand Island. More information about the concert will be available at a later date.




Community Chorus Resumes Rehearsals - New Members Welcome - 2007
   The GI Community Chorus will resume regular rehearsals at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 11 at Historic Trinity UM Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road in preparation for a Spring concert. All members are encouraged to attend as there will be a brief business meeting during the rehearsal. New members are welcome to attend. "We are still looking for anyone who likes to sing to join us," a spokesman for the group said.




Community Chorus Rehearsal Cancelled - Postponed to February - 2007
   The Grand Island Community Chorus has cancelled the Jan. 28, 2007 rehearsal. Members will be notified of the next rehearsal.




Sunday, December 17th
Community Chorus Offers Christmas Mini-Concert and Sing-along - 2006
   Members of the Grand Island Community Chorus invite the community to a Christmas mini-concert and sing-along at 7 p.m. Sunday, December 17th at Trinity UM Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road.
   For more information about the chorus, email Rosanne McKee.




Community Chorus Holiday Schedule Of Concerts - 2006
   The Grand Island Community Chorus lists the following schedule of holiday appearances:
• Performing with other interested Island singers at the annual Thanksgiving ecumenical service, St. Timothy Church, 7 p.m. Sunday, November 19.
• Knights of Columbus event at 2:30 p.m. December 3
• Town Hall at 4 p.m. December 9 for the annual Grand Island Tree Lighting service.
• Chamber of Commerce party, Launch Club, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 12
• Trinity Church, 7 p.m. Sunday, December 17 for Christmas mini-concert and sing-along.
   For more information, email Rosanne McKee




Community Chorus Recruiting Members - 2006
   The Grand Island Community Chorus is recruiting anyone who likes to sing and can meet on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. at Trinity UM Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, for brief rehearsals. There are no auditions.
   The Chorus will present its next concert 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 17th at Trinity Church. "The theme is Christmas (well, for heaven's sake!) and we'll have a short sing-along with our very talented audience," a spokesman said this week. There will be no admission charge. The Community Chorus will also perform during the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce meeting on December 12.
   Chorus members who are available will be singing at the Thanksgiving ecumenical service at St. Timothy Church (Staley and Stony Point) on the Sunday evening before Thanksgiving. If anyone would like to sing at the ecumenical service with no obligation to join the community chorus, they are invited to join one-hour rehearsals at Trinity Church at 7 p.m. (Nov. 5 and Nov. 12) for the next 2 Sunday evenings.




Community Chorus Resumes Rehearsals, Welcomes New Singers - 2006
   The Grand Island Community Chorus will resume rehearsals at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2006 at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Everyone who likes to sing is welcome. "All that you need to bring is your love of singing. We provide the music and the fun," a spokesman for the chorus said this week.
   The Grand Island Community Chorus is preparing for a Christmas concert to be held on December 17, 2006 and also for a spring concert. The Chorus gave an exceptional performance at its inaugural concert on September 10th.




Huge Crowd Attends Community Chorus Inaugural Concert - 2006
   A crowd of well over 300 people poured into the Trinity UM Church for the 7 p.m. performance of the Grand Island Community Chorus on Sunday evening, September 10, 2006. Titled "America - A Celebration in Song," the concert selections ranged from Rodgers & Hammerstein show tunes to American folksongs and featured many beautiful, solo voices.
   Refreshments were served in the Trinity Church family room after the concert and there was no admission. Conductor Tom Pollard and his wife and accompanist Kathy Pollard received gifts of appreciation from the 50+ chorus members at the end of the concert. Rehearsals for a winter concert to be held in February 2007 are being held at 7 p.m. beginning Sunday, October 1, 2006 in Historic Trinity. New singers are invited to attend. For more information, call Jim Watz at 773-5075.
   Chorus Members: Ellen Baker, Sue Blanton, Joann Brown, May Chou, Joyce Cline, Dorothy Ginsburg, Joyce Good, Peggy Koppmann, Gwen Lummen, Rosanne McKee, Judith Mydzian, Candy Rieker-Bouley, Ellie Robinson, Carol Rurkowski, Dorothy Wiswall, Linda Yund, Luise Zelonis.
   Also, Paula Cramer, Kathy DeLoughry, Beatrice Hall, Nancy Kanavel, Magdalen Kennedy, Marty Kennell, Cindy Lin, Candy Padowski, Libby Ponton, Marijane Smith, Ruth Starr, Adele Upton, Sharon Watz.
   Also, John Cline, Adrian Martinez, Chris Mongielo, John Muerle, Mary Parker, Ron Smith, Bob Smythe, Ken Baker, Tony D'Orazio, Paul Robinson, Jesse Tromanhauser, Barry Tubbs, Maury Walsh, Jim Watz and Tom Wiswall.




Grand Island Community Chorus - An Inspiration And an Idea - August 2006
Click photo for larger view
   The idea and inspiration for a community chorus started many months before the first organizational meeting. As usually happens, a call went out across the Island for members of church choirs to join together to sing at the annual ecumenical Thanksgiving service, this year at Trinity United Methodist Church on Whitehaven Road. Tom Pollard, music director for Trinity, directed the ecumenical choir. With the wonderful acoustics in the church, the choir knew they performed spectacularly. After some discussion, Tom and Jim Watz explored the possibility of the choir continuing as a community chorus.
    Thanks to the efforts of Chris Mongielo, Jim and Sharon Watz, Maury Walsh, Ron Smith, Tom and Dorothy Wiswall, and Tom Pollard, discussion continued during the spring. They sought advice and suggestions from other musicians and choir leaders, and the first organizational meeting was scheduled for April 28, 2006. Flyers went out, notice was sent to Isledegrande.com and the Island Dispatch, and everyone interested was asked to speak to any friends who might be inclined to join the group. On April 28, 36 people met at Trinity, anticipating the formation of Grand island's first community chorus. Tom Pollard would direct the chorus, his wife Kathy agreed to be accompanist, and Trinity Church allowed the chorus to meet and rehearse in the historic old church without charge. The group chose Wednesday as rehearsal night and September 10 as the first concert date. Tom passed out a few sheets of music and the newly formed chorus sang together for the first time.
   The first rehearsal occurred on July 5, 2006. Jim Watz and Tom addressed some housekeeping issues such as volunteers for librarian, publicity, social committee, and Maury asked for help with calls to possible donors for fundraising. The group went through "Rogers and Hammerstein on Broadway," a medley scheduled for the opening music for the second part of the concert and "Go With a Song in Your Heart," the closing music for the concert. Tom announced the music schedule for the entire concert and the chorus was off and singing.




First Concert Of Community Chorus Set For September 10th - 2006
"America - A Celebration in Song"
   Grand Island Community Chorus, a fifty-member group of your neighbors and friends, invites you to its first concert, "America - A Celebration in Song" at 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, at Trinity UM Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island.
   Selections will include Broadway hits, folk songs, spirituals, and some surprises. There is no admission fee and refreshments will follow the concert. "Come and bring the family for an evening of fun music!" a spokesman for the chorus said this week.
   Scroll up or down for more information about the Community Chorus.




Community Chorus Announcement - 2006
   In its second month of rehearsals, the newly organized Grand Island Community Chorus meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2006 in Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Singers should arrive around 7:15 p.m. Rehearsals are in preparation for the inaugural concert, which will be presented at 7 p.m. Sunday, September 10 at Historic Trinity.
   "Our membership has exceeded our expectations," choral director Tom Pollard said. "We have over fifty enthusiastic, and talented singers. This week's rehearsal will be the last week for new people to join the group for the September concert. Membership will be open again after the concert," he said.
   Rehearsals for the winter concert in January '07 will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday evenings. "We look forward to singing for you in September," Pollard said.
   For more information, call Jim Watz at 773-5075.




7 p.m. Wednesday July 5th
New Grand Island Community Chorus Sets First Rehearsal - 2006
   The newly organized Grand Island Community Chorus will hold its first rehearsal at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2006 in Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. Rehearsals, under the direction of Isle resident Tom Pollard, will be held every Wednesday evening throughout the summer, with a concert of American music scheduled for Sunday, September 10 at Historic Trinity.
   The chorus is open to all and is in need of tenors and basses. For more information, call Jim Watz at 773-5075.




New Community Chorus Off To Good Start - 2006
   At least 30 people attended a meeting April 28th at Historic Trinity Church with a goal of forming a Grand Island Community Chorus. Others unable to attend the meeting, called to show their interest. It was decided that the first official rehearsal will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Historic Trinity with rehearsals every Wednesday evening throughout the summer. A concert of American music will be presented on Sunday, September 10 at Historic Trinity.
   Following the informational part of the meeting, those in attendance rehearsed several pieces that will probably use in the concert. "The chorus has a very nice sound, and a lot of potential," a spokesman for the new group said this week. "We need more tenors and basses so I'm calling on the men of the Island, or off the Island, who enjoy singing to come and join us at our July 5th rehearsal," he said. "We are all very excited about this new addition to the community life of Grand Island."
   Those interested in more information, they are asked to call Jim Watz at 773-5075.




Grand Island Community Chorus Forming - 2006
   The first steps for the formation of the Grand Island Community Chorus have been announced with an informational meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, April 28th at Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY. There is no obligation; only requirement is a love of making beautiful vocal music. For more information, call Jim at 773-5075 or Maury at 773-4105. "Please accept this invitation to a truly exciting event," a spokesman for the group said this week. "Hope to see you there!"
   Click the following attachments. Both are very informative.
"Community Chorus/What's It All About"
"Community Chorus/Invitation"

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