Jon M. Timmons joins as Artistic Director in August 2023, Kevin Muchetti joins as Collaborative Pianist in September 2023.
Winter 2023 – In January we hold our “Everything Old is New Again” holiday concert – postponed from December due to Covid – appropriately on 12th Night. PCOC hosts the concert, which is free with optional donation. The 2023 Showcase “Ages and Stages” is performed at UUSMC on April 1 2023, tempting fate – and fate responds with tornadoes, fortunately only delaying the show briefly.
Spring 2023 – RCD does Broadway with “Curtain Up!” – a concert completely made of choral arrangements of Broadway tunes. At the end of the 2022/2023 season we lose both our Artistic Director, Douglas P. Bender, and our Collaborative Pianist, Sarah Jane Gober.
Finally beginning to move on as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes (but isn’t fully gone!). Anthony M. Condoluci-Smith resigns as Artistic Director at the end of the 2021/2022 season. Douglas P. Bender joins as Artistic Director in September 2022.
Winter & Spring 2022 – RCD begins with a month of zoom rehearsals in January, then returns to in-person rehearsal, with masks, in February 2022. Continuing the season’s theme of renewal, the Chorale presents “Coming Out of the Dark” Showcase, with two performances, masked, at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek (UUSMC), the first Showcase since 2019. For the June concert “We Rise”, RCD hosts Joyful Noise (Delaware branch). RCD also sings the National Anthem for the Blue Rocks at Frawley Stadium on Father’s Day, restoring that tradition. Gary Kirchhoff resigns as President in June 2021 and Charla Phoenix becomes President.
Fall 2022 – RCD continues in person rehearsals, with masking optional. RCD performs at the PCOC Halloween Spooktacular and Halloween Bingo in October and Delaware Hospice’s Festival of Trees in November. The planned December concert with two performances “Everything Old is New Again” had to be postponed to January 2023 due to a COVID outbreak in early December.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues in 2021, disrupting operations and activities.
Winter & Spring 2021 – the RCD resumes meeting on Zoom on Monday nights for rehearsing, games, movies and a body-mapping workshop. André Vermeulen returns for the winter/spring semester as our virtual Collaborative Pianist. Chorale members record individual videos for two pieces and audio for a third – these are combined and featured in the May 2020 virtual concert Hope Sings Eternal along with soloists, small groups and archived performances. The Chorale sets up its own YouTube channel for streaming concerts and individual performances.
Fall 2021 – the RCD returns to in-person rehearsals at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (PCOC). Members are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and wear masks during rehearsal and performances. Sarah Jane Gober joins as Collaborative Pianist. RCD and AIDS Delaware hold Halloween Bingo in October, and RCD sings at Delaware Hospice’s Festival of Trees in November. The holiday concert “What a Wonderful World” is performed (in person!) with masks at St Stephens Lutheran Church in Wilmington and Skyline United Methodist Church in Pike Creek. Remote viewing options (live-stream) for the holiday concerts are added, starting a trend of offering live-stream of RCD concerts. Gary Kirchhoff is elected President in early December 2021.
COVID-19 Pandemic leads to cancellation of the March Showcase, June concert, the celebration of RCD’s 20th Anniversary and the 2020 GALA Festival. The chorale stops in person rehearsals in March of 2020 – the spring and summer are spent meeting on Zoom to play musical games and provide support to the members.
Fall 2020 – the RCD joins the New York City Gay Mens Chorus (NYCGMC) online program of rehearsals and workshops. RCD members learn about self-recording and contribute to 3 pieces with NYCGMC. In addition, soloists and small groups record pieces that are combined with videos from past performances and streamed as Virtually Yours – Home for the Holidays in December 2020.
December 2019 – Richard Perry is elected President. This marks a switch to a December/January Annual Meeting.
Fall 2019 – The Chorale begins its 20th Anniversary season with Deck the Halls, performed at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SAAMs) in Wilmington and Epworth UMC in Rehoboth Beach. Former Artistic Director Ellie Armsby conducts “This Christmastide” at the Wilmington concert. Eva Dee Beech joins the Chorale as Collaborative Pianist.
June 2019 – The Chorale performs a complimentary encore performance of Feel The Love at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes. The concert is sponsored by the St. Celcilia Guild.
May 2019 – The Chorale presents its spring concert, Feel The Love, at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington. The event features a silent auction fundraiser.
March 2019 – The Chorale performs its Showcase concert, This Is Me, to a sold-out house at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek in Newark.
January 2019 — Anthony M. Condoluci-Smith is named the Chorale’s sixth Artistic Director. Jason Neri appointed as Interim Collaborative Pianist.
December 2018 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert, Share the Light, at two new venues, St. David’s Episcopal Church and The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew. Both organizations are located in Wilmington.
September 2018 – The Board changes the Chorale’s fiscal year from a calendar year (Jan-Dec) to July-June fiscal year.
July 2018 — Anthony M. Condoluci-Smith and Daniel J. Carunchio appointed Interim Artistic Director and Interim Collaborative Pianist.
June 2018 — The concert, The Greatest Shows on Earth, is performed in Newark, as the Chorale bids a fond farewell to Amanda McFadden as Assistant Artistic Director.
May 2018 — Simone Novaes-Card is elected President of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
March 2018 — The Chorale performs the showcase concert, Life Is A Cabaret! at Arden Gild Hall.
December 2017 — The Chorale performs Hollywood for the Holidays at venues in Wilmington and Newark.
September 2017 — Amanda McFadden appointed Assistant Artistic Director.
June 2017 — Season of Life, the Chorale’s spring concert is performed at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach. A silent auction fundraiser is conducted at the latter.
May 2017 — Anne Shuman is elected President of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
March 2017 — The Chorale brings back its Showcase with Season of Love. The program is presented at two venues — Arden Gild Hall, and a new location, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark.
December 2016 — The Chorale presents its holiday concert, Season of Light in Newark and Rehoboth Beach.
August 2016 — Anthony M. Condoluci appointed as Assistant Artistic Director.
August 2016 — Arreon A. Harley is named the Chorale’s fifth Artistic Director.
July 2016 — The Chorale bids a fond farewell to Elinor A. Armsby as Artistic Director.
July 2016 — The Chorale and Prism participate in GALA Choruses Festival 2016 in Denver, Colorado. This marks the Chorale’s fourth official appearance at a GALA conference.
June 2016 — The Chorale hosts a pre-GALA “mini Festival” entitled Everyone Sing Out! The event features Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, and New Wave Singers of Baltimore. Each choir presents selections from its presentation for the upcoming GALA Festival.
June 2016 — Mary Reppy is re-elected President of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
April 2016 — The Chorale presents its spring concert, Revolution! – Music for Changing Times in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
December 2015 — For its holiday concert, the Chorale presents Holiday Classics – Classics with a Twist in Newark and Wilmington. The concert features a one-act re-visioning of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
September 2015 — The Chorale welcomes Michael A. Bareham as new Collaborative Pianist.
May 2015 — André Vermeulen steps down as Collaborative Pianist.
May 2015 — The Chorale performs its spring concert, Shall We Dance, in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
March 2015 — The Chorale presents its showcase concert, As Seen On TV, to a sell-out audience at
Gild Hall in Arden.
January 2015 — The Chorale participates, with Delaware U.S. Senator Chris Coons, in an event at the Nemours / Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children commemorating the hospital being named, “2014 Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.”
December 2014 — The Chorale concludes its 15th anniversary year with a winter concert, Dashing Through The Snow, at venues in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
November 2014 — The Chorale participates along with members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and several other sibling choral groups in It Gets Better Project which focuses on challenges of LGBT youth.
October 2014 — The Chorale commemorated its fifteen year with Celebrate Like It’s 1999, a dress-to-impress party event held at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Wilmington which included a silent auction. Dignitaries from GALA Choruses presented the Chorale with a generous donation.
June 2014 — Mary Reppy is elected President of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
May 2014 — Summer Vacation Showcase concert presented at Gild Hall in Arden.
April 2014 — The Chorale performs Rainbow Wave 2, a concert featuring sibling choir New Wave Singers of Baltimore in Newark.
March 2014 — The Chorale presents a spring concert, Fabulous First Fifteen, celebrating its fifteenth anniversary year to a sold-out audience at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington.
March – June 2014 — The Chorale performs numerous outreach events at — Skyline United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, The Annual Victim’s Tribute in Dover, It Gets Better Project in Philadelphia, and Mardi Gras Bingo with AIDS Delaware.
December 2013 — The Chorale kicks off its 15th season with the Holiday concert, A Shining Night at venues in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
October – December 2013 — The Chorale performs at numerous outreach performances — Hanover Church Diversity Service, Halloween Bingo, LGBT Adoption Café, and a World AIDS Day observance.
Sept 2013 — Members of the Chorale with local musical group In The Light perform QUEEN at “The Queen” — a tribute to the iconic rock band Queen at Wilmington’s World Cafe Live — with a repeat performance in October at The Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey.
June 2013 — Jennifer Hayes is elected President of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
June 2013 — The Chorale presents its Showcase concert, Sharing Our Song with its annual Silent Auction at Gild Hall in Arden.
March – May 2013 — The Chorale performs at three outreach events — a community sing at Christiana Hospital, a retirement party for an RCD colleague, and the Wilmington/North Delaware Chapter of PFLAG 20th Anniversary Celebration.
June 2013 — The Chorale presents its Showcase concert, Sharing Our Song with its annual Silent Auction at Gild Hall in Arden.
April 2013 — The Chorale delivers their Spring concert, Family Gathering to audiences in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
November 2012 — The Chorale performs their Holiday concert, From Our Table To Yours at Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington.
November 2012 — Members of the Chorale and Alumni participate in a celebration of life ceremony for beloved friend, Vessa Fulton.
October 2012 — The Chorale participates in Hanover Church’s GLBT Diversity Concert.
September 2012 — The Chorale participates in Delaware Pride Festival
September 2012 — The Chorale declares the 2012-2013 season’s theme as “Giving Back.”
July 2012 — The Chorale participates at GALA Choruses Festival 2012 in Denver. This marks the Chorale’s third official GALA conference.
June 2012 — The Chorale performs Born This Way, a showcase concert at Gild Hall in Arden.
April 2012 — The Chorale performs Rainbow Wave, a fundraiser concert with New Wave Singers of Baltimore at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach to benefit both organization’s participation in GALA Festival 2012 Denver.
March 2012 — The Chorale performs its spring concert, This Is Our Moment, at the Music School of Delaware in Wilmington.
December 2011 — The Chorale performs Home For The Holidays in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
December 2011 — The Chorale performs two free concerts at Longwood Gardens.
October 2011 — The Chorale participates in Hanover Church’s GLBT Diversity Concert.
May 2011 — Elinor A. Armsby is named as the Chorale’s fourth Artistic Director. The Chorale performs its spring concert, We Belong at the Music School of Delaware in Wilmington.
May 2011 — The Chorale is invited by Governor Jack Markell to perform at signing ceremony of Delaware’s Civil Unions Bill at World Café Live at the Queen in Wilmington.
April 2011 — The Chorale performs at the 20th Annual Crime Victims’ Tribute in Dover.
April 2011 — Membership votes to adopt newly revised Bylaws.
March 2011 — The Chorale performs A Night At The Glammies Cabaret at Arden Gild Hall and The Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach with Guest Director Kathy Cammett.
December 2010 — Kathy Cammett and Elinor A. Armsby named Guest Directors.
December 2010 — Stephen Caldwell resigns as Artistic Director.
December 2010 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert Comfort & Joy in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach.
September 2010 — The Chorale welcomes André Vermeulen as Collaborative Pianist.
September 2010 — Joseph DiSalvo Jr. elected Board President.
August 2010 — Renna Van Oot resigns as President.
May 2010 — The Chorale performs its spring concert in Wilmington and Rehoboth, Freedom is Coming, a concert of hope, pride and inspiration. Joined by the Sankofa African Drum Company.
March 2010 — The Chorale performs its Cabaret Red White and FaBLUElous at Arden Gild Hall.
December 2009 — The Chorale performs Holiday Reception in Wilmington.
September 2009 — Jean-Francois Proulx joins the Chorale as Collaborative Pianist.
July 2009 — The Chorale sings the National Anthem at Philadelphia Phillies Gay Community Night at Citizens Bank Park.
June 2009 — Renna Van Oot is elected President of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
June 2009 — Hiroko Yamazaki resigns as Collaborative Pianist.
June 2009 — The Chorale celebrates its 10th year with their concert Into the Blue. Performing their commissioned piece “Into the Blue” writen by Andrea Clearfield from a poem by Susan Windle at The Baby Grand. Elliot Jones, the founding Director, conducts a piece for this celebration.
May 2009 — The Chorale sings the National Anthem at the opening of the Equality Forum in Philadelphia.
March 2009 — The Chorale performs its Simply the Best performance in Wilmington to kick off their 10th year.
January 2009 — The Chorale performs for the Arts Inauguration Celebration of Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Lieutenant Governor Matthew Denn.
December 2008 — Stephen Caldwell is named as the Chorale’s third Artistic Director. The Chorale performs its holiday concert, Our Favorite Things. The Chorale performs for the first time with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra in a New Year’s Eve concert at the Grand Opera House.
September 2008 — Stephen Caldwell becomes interim Artistic Director.
July 2008 — The Chorale participates at GALA Choruses Festival 2008 in Miami. This marks the Chorale’s second official GALA conference. Alison Skinner resigns as Artistic Director.
June 2008 — The Chorale joins a number of local GALA-member groups for a joint concert The Circle of Our Lives – Music That Unites hosted by the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus.
June 2008 — The Chorale presents its spring concert, Songs of Love
May 2008 — The Chorale hosts Susan Werner and Suzanne Westenhoefer for GALA fundraising events.
March 2008 — The Chorale presents its cabaret, Growing up Broadway.
December 2007 — Alison Skinner conducts her first concert Light Up The Holidays with The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
November 2007 — The Chorale commissions composer Andrea Clearfield and poet Susan Windle to compose an original work for its tenth year.
September 2007 — The Chorale participates in the Delaware AIDS Walk.
June 2007 — Elliot Jones directs his farewell performance as Artistic Director in Why We Sing. Alison Skinner named second Artistic Director of the Chorale. Daniel Gallery again elected Chorale president. The Chorale performs again for Wilmington Trust’ celebration of Pride Month and for the first time for Bank of America’s celebration of Pride Month.
March 2007 — The Chorale performs at the City of Wilmington’s 175th anniversary celebration held at Old Town Hall. The Chorale presents its Disney Cabaret.
December 2006 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert Natalis & A Charlie Brown Christmas.
September 2006 — The Chorale participates in the 20th annual AIDS Walk.
August 2006 — The Chorale sings the “Star Spangled Banner” at a Philadelphia Phillies game.
June 2006 — The Chorale performs its spring concert Opera Extravaganza!
June 2006 — Christopher White is elected president of the Chorale. The Chorale performs for Wilmington Trust’s celebration of Pride Month.
March 2006 — The Mayor of Wilmington and the Governor of Delaware send letters of congratulations to the Chorale for its performance of Hail Wilmington, the official song of the city. The song had not been performed since 1923. The Chorale performs its cabaret All Over the Map.
February 2006 — The Chorale takes the stage at Carnegie Hall, performing When We No Longer Touch, a cycle of songs for survival by John Kristofer Anthony.
December 2005 — Governor Minner issues a proclamation declaring February 19, 2006, to be Rainbow Chorale of Delaware Day.
December 2005 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
October 2005 — The Chorale receives its first grant.
August 2005 — Hiroko Yamazaki joins the Chorale as collaborative pianist.
June 2005 — The Chorale performs its first PRIDE concert in Rehoboth Beach, DE at Epworth United Methodist Church.
May 2005 — The Chorale performs its spring concert Cloudburst.
January 2005 — The Chorale performs at inauguration celebration for Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s second term.
June 2005 — Daniel Gallery is re-elected Chorale president.
February 2005 — The Chorale performs its cabaret Magic to Do.
December 2004 — The Chorale releases its first CD – Sing Me to Heaven – representing its first six years of musical excellence.
December 2004 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert In the Moon of Wintertime.
October 2004 — The Chorale holds its first retreat.
September 2004 — The Chorale participates for the first time as a team in “AIDS Walk Delaware.”
July 2004 — The Chorale travels to Montreal, Canada to participate in its first International GALA Conference. Its rendition of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” in front of 4,000 audience members brings down the house.
June 2004 — The Chorale is special guest performer at Philadelphia Gay Mens’ Chorus performance.
June 2004 — The Chorale performs its spring concert Frostiana in Rehoboth Beach Delaware.
January 2004 — Daniel Gallery is elected Chorale president.
May 2004 — The Chorale performs its spring concert Frostiana with special guest the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus.
May 2004 — The Chorale goes online at TheRainbowChorale.org.
December 2003 — The Chorale celebrates its fifth anniversary.
December 2003 — The Chorale adopts its tag line, “Eliciting change through music.”
December 2003 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert We’re Talkin’ Reindeer.
May 2003 — The Chorale performs its spring concert I Have Had Singing.
February 2003 — The Chorale performs its first cabaret The Kings & Queens of Cabaret at Opera Delaware studios.
January 2003 — Kitty Harrison is elected president of the Chorale.
December 2002 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert Alleluia! Welcome the Light
June 2002 — The Chorale performs its spring concert Such Company.
April 2002 — Jessie Cocks assumes the role of president.
January 2002 — Paul Jensen is elected president of the Chorale but steps down in April.
December 2001 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert You Are a New Day.
July 2001 — The Chorale travels to Cincinnati, OH to participate in its first GALA conference, a northeastern regional conference.
June 2001 — The Chorale performs at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, sharing the stage with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC.
May 2001 — The Chorale performs its spring concert Anything Goes. Prism makes its debut.
January 2001 — Prism, a select chamber ensemble of the Chorale is formed.
January 2001 — Ron Schnorbus is re-elected president of the Chorale.
January 2001 — The Chorale performs at inauguration celebration of Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner.
December 2000 — The Chorale performs its holiday concert Voices of Children – A Celebration of Family.
September 2000 — Michael Helman joins the Chorale as collaborative pianist.
August 2000 — The Chorale moves its rehearsal space to Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Summer 2000 — Ron Schnorbus is elected president of the Chorale.
May 2000 — The Chorale performs its concert Dream with Me.
May 11, 2000 — The first Bingo-a-go-go fundraiser is staged in Wilmington, DE.
January 2000 — Kymberly Thompson serves as president of the Chorale.
December 1999 — The Chorale performs its first concert at First & Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE. 34 persons step into the spotlight.
Fall 1999 — The Chorale begins rehearsals at West Presbyterian Church on Eighth Street in Wilmington. David Shueck is first accompanist.
Summer 1999 — Elliot Jones is named as founding Artistic Director of the Chorale. Scott Meadows is elected president of the organization.
Summer 1999 — The Chorale bylaws are created and the choir is incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization under the auspices of attorney David Facciolio of Wilmington.
Summer 1999 — Sing-a-longs are scheduled to promote interest in the community to create a chorus representing gay Delaware as well as search for an artistic director.
Six friends have dinner and discuss the creation of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.
