The deGraffenried Chorale, which has been providing beautiful vocal music in the Land of Logan for 35 years, is preparing for its annual Christmas performance and getting ready for a fund raiser in conjunction with Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
Those who shop at Barnes & Noble on Campbell Lane in Bowling Green this Saturday and mention the chorale at checkout will entitle the chorale to a percentage of the sales. They can also enjoy Christmas music in a preview of the chorale's Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at B&N. Those who are unable to shop in person can visit bn.com/bookfairs from this Saturday through Thanksgiving Day and enter Bookfair ID#11216140 at check out. That, too, will generate revenue for the chorale.
Chorale members will be at the store most of the day Saturday helping with the fund-raising activity.
When the late Hazel Carver began the deGraffenried Chorale in 1978, John Kees, Robert Stuart, Roy Gill and Mary Beth Dowden were charter members and are still active members. Dowden, who is a retired music teacher in the Russellville schools and has been employed by Barnes & Noble for over a decade, is beginning her third year as director.
Chorale President Frank Walton has been a member for over three decades. Other officers for this year are Vice President Shirley Haines, Secretary Anne Rose, and Treasurer Larry Baker. Connie Stevenson is serving as librarian. Susan Fox is the accompanist.
“Our group is selected by audition. We are a non-profit arts organization, and any donation to the chorale is a tax exemption,” Dowden notes.
The Christmas concert, entitled “Sing Gloria," will be held Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Temple.