Dear Alumnae and Friends of the Chorus,
My name is Shelby, and I am a third year Biochemistry major from Roanoke, Virginia. I was the 2014 Concert Manager and have been a devoted Alto 1 since I joined the Chorus in the spring of my first year. VWC has been one of the most wonderful and rewarding parts of my college experience and I am so happy to have the chance to continue giving back to it by serving as President this year. I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the rest of the new Managing Board and our director, KaeRenae Mitchell, and I am endlessly grateful to all of you for your continual love and support.
This semester is sure to be exciting and eventful, and it’s already off to a great start. We welcomed eight new members this semester and the Chorus is now 49 members strong, larger than I’ve ever seen it. We were excited to have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the National Women in Sports Day women’s basketball game again this year on January 25th, the men’s basketball game vs. Louisville on February 7th, and at two men’s baseball games in April. Additionally, we came together with the Virginia Glee Club and many of UVa’s fabulous a cappella groups to perform in the Glee Club’s Singfest on February 21st, which benefited the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Our spring concert this semester will be on April 11th at 4 pm, and it is going to be a very special one, as we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary. The theme is “Phoenix Rising”—a reflection of how the Chorus rose from the ashes and became the talented and vibrant group it is today—and we have an absolutely beautiful repertoire planned. KaeRenae and the Managing Board are in the midst of planning a whole weekend full of events, rehearsals, and good meals for you and I am already amazed at how enthusiastic and hardworking everyone has been, even before the semester got underway.
I would like to thank all those who came to see our performances at our annual Candlelight Concerts and the National Christmas Tree in December and all those who support us through donations, communication, and attendance at our concerts. It was wonderful to meet some of our alumnae, family and friends at the events in December, and I look forward to hopefully meeting many more of you this semester, and especially to joining our voices with yours in the 40th anniversary concert on April 11th.
If you would like to keep updated on what the Chorus is doing this semester, please feel free to visit our website or our Facebook page, and be on the lookout for more information about the 40th anniversary concert. My best wishes to all of you, and I hope to see many of you in April!
Sincerely,
Shelby Lipes
President, Virginia Women’s Chorus