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Tradition of Excellence Since 1992

A Brief History
 
Choral Society Makes Donation (December 4, 2009)
Lights of Christmas (Fairhope Tree-Lighting) (November 20, 2009)
Get to Know Toby Gurley (November 1, 2009)
New members (September, 2009)
Eastern Shore Choral Society,
(Edna Traccarella Voice Scholarship competition) (January 29, 2009)
Choral Society Rehearsals Begin (January 9, 2009)
Holiday Happenings (December 23, 2008)
Choral Society's Christmas Concert Set (November 27, 2008)
Society to Perform Christmas Concert (November 23, 2008)
Choral Society New Season (August, 24, 2008)
Choral society announces upcoming concert schedule (July 25, 2008)
Just Call Him The Music Man (April 22, 2008)
Concert to Benefit Music Students (April 6, 2008)

Scholarship Conpetition Crowns Winners (March 30, 2008)
Choral Grants awarded to local schools (2008) 

New Voices for Eastern Shore Choral Society (February 10, 2008)

Her passion for music evident in professional, personal life -
Get to know Ann Whatley (February 10, 2008)

Retired doctor helps students' musical pursuits -
Get To Know Jane Blaum (January 28, 2008)

ESCS Scholarship Deadline Approaching (January 16, 2008)

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Click here for Press Releases 2007
 
Choral Society Sets Rehearsals for Spring (December 27, 2007)
Sounds of the Season (December 14, 2007)
The  "Messiah" Concert/Sing-Along (December 9, 2007)
Music's been a life long 'natural fit' for Massachusetts native -
Get to Know Paul Anderson (October 2007)
Music Lover finds harmony in Fairhope -
Get to Know Stephanie Crowe (October 24, 2007)
Choral Society Welcomes New Members (September 21, 2007)
Choral Society turns 16 this year (August 26, 2007)
From Teen years to retirement, Lillian Man continues to sing -
Get to Know Jim Strawn (August 23, 2007)
Choral Society to Begin New Season (August 3, 2007) 
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CHORAL SOCIETY MAKES DONATION

Submitted by Bruce Sims                                             Baldwin Register - December 4, 2009

 

Eastern Shore Choral Society has presented Robertsdale High choral instructor Bill Thomas with $500, which will be used to buy sheet music for the spring semester.  The society, which donates money on a rotating basis to choral programs in Baldwin County, does so as a way of encouraging young people to get involved with the choral arts.  On hand for the donation are, from left, Jane Blaum, Thomas and Eunice Ng.  Blaum and Ng are from the Eastern Shore Choral Society, which is now preparing the group's Christmas program.

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LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS

Streets of Fairhope are shining after ceremony

November 20, 2009                                   Press-Register, Mobile

The city of Fairhope kicked off the holiday season Thursday night with its annual tree
lighting ceremonyMany trees lining downtown streets were lit up.

The entertainment included the Fairhope High School Band, Fairhope Middle School
band and the Eastern Shore Choral Society.
  At right, choral society singers belt
out a Christmas tune.

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Retired engineer says he refuses to be ‘porch sitter'

By LEIGH T. MOORE                    
Correspondent________________                            ___Baldwin Register - November 1, 2009

TobyGurley.JPG

    Get to Know Todd Gurley

    Birthplace:  Lenoir, N.C.
    Hometown: 
Montrose
    Family: 
Wife, Betty, children
    Mark Gurley, Penelope Prett;
    four grandchildren
    Occupation:
  Retired
    Activities: 
Singing, church
    work, gardening

     Todd Gurley, raised in a little town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, recalls moving with his family to Mobile as a teenager.

     "I was a Murphy High School graduate in 1961," he said.  "It was the largest class in the state, and there were more than 1,200 graduates in my class."

     He went on to obtain his chemical engineering undergraduate and master's degrees at Auburn, and he remains a faithful supporter of the university and its creed.

     I contribute to Auburn, and I try to be a good alumnus," he said.  "It's a super place, and I enjoy sending students there."

     He worked only five years as an engineer in the chemical field in Louisiana and Alabama before he became a manufacturing representative selling heavy equipment to chemical plants and paper mills in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

     "I did that 35 years, and it was great work.  I've been in every manufacturing plant in the region," he said.  "I was a registered professional engineer, and in 1994 I was selected as the engineer of the year by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers."

     He was also an avid sailor in those days and served as commodore for the Buccaneer Yacht Club in 1985.

     "I started sailing in my 20s.  I went out with a friend and fell in love with it," he said.  "My wife and I did competitive sailing 25 years, but I'm too old for that now."

     Upon retirement, Gurley said he found himself getting involved in activities that he never had time for when he was younger and working.

     "I'm an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church, and I started singing in the choir a number of years ago," he
said.  "Then a friend suggested I join the choral society, so I've been with them three years now."

     As a baritone with the Eastern Shore Choral Society, Gurley has traveled with that group to Carnegie Hall to perform and said he looks forward to sharing this year's Christmas program with the community.

     "Our Christmas program this year is going to be jazzy and upbeat and very entertaining," Gurley said. 

     He also enjoys cooking for large church groups, and he is active at Trinity, serving as both a deacon and an elder through the years.

     "I was a delegate to the national convention last year, and I participated in the Academy for Equipping the Saints, which is done through the presbytery," he said.  "It was an intensive, four-weedend Bible study, and I learned so much.  I was challenged, and it changed the way I look at things."

     Gardening is another of his favorite pastimes, and Gurley said he looks forward to staying active through his retirement.

     I root things and end up with pots everywhere.  Master Gardeners is one of the things in my bucket list," he said with a laugh.  "I don't want to be a porch sitter."
  

~

NewMembers2009.JPG
Eastern Shore Choral Society - New Members August 24, 2009

From Left to right: Back Row: Karen Clements, Monique Simone, Nick Youngblood, Josh Mccoy and Josh Davis. Front Row: Rebecca McCoy, Phyllis Bruce and Sharon Sims.  Not pictured are Steve Trott, Nancy Mark, and Debra Blackburn.

 

EASTERN SHORE CHORAL SOCIETY

 Submitted by Linda Long                            Baldwin Register - September, 2009

The ESCS would like to welcome these new voices to our group. They are a wonderful edition to our choir. If you would like to join us, we rehearse on Monday nights at First Baptist Church located at 300 North Section Street, Fairhope. Rehearsals start at 7:00 pm and go until 9:00 pm. We would love to see you!

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EASTERN SHORE CHORAL SOCIETY


 

Submitted by Stephanie Crowe                      Baldwin Register - January 29, 2009

The Eastern Shore Choral Society announced its sixth annual Edna Traccarella Voice Scholarship competition for high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are residents of Baldwin County. 

The competition will be held March 28 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairhope.  Awards to be given include first place, $500; second place, $400; and third place, $300.  The application deadline is March 7. 

Nicole Corley, left, 2008 scholarship winner, is congratulated by Stephanie Crowe, President of the Eastern Shore Choral Society.  For more information, call Dr. Jane Blaum at 251-232-1098 or visit www.escs.org.

~

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Photo courtesy of Heather Lees Photography

                                             Baldwin Register   -   FRIDAY, January 9, 2009
Submitted by Stephanie Crowe

The Eastern Shore Choral Society will begin rehearsals for its spring concert season at 7 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church in Fairhope. 

The repertoire for the spring is John Rutter's "Requiem" as well as secular selections such as "Hoagy Carmichael, A Choral Portrait." 

Singers who would like to join the society are invited to attend the rehearsal.  Membership  dues are $45 per season. 

Members of Eastern Shore Choral Society, as well as other coastal singers, will perform the "Requiem" at Carnegie Hall in March under the direction of Terry Maddox, director of the society. 

The Eastern Shore Choral Society is a volunteer group made up of singers who love to sing choral music and want to contribute to music appreciation in Baldwin County.  For more information, go to www.escs.org.

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                                 Holiday Happenings

_                                             Baldwin Register   -   December 23, 2008


The Eastern Shore Choral Society performs during Fairhope's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday in downtown Fairhope.

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CHORAL SOCIETY'S CHRISTMAS CONCERT SET

 _                                             Baldwin Register   -   November 27, 2008

Submitted by Stephanie Crowe

 

Members of the Eastern Shore Choral Society performed Christmas carols at the Page and Palette book store in Fairhope in conjunction with the Elf on a Shelf book signing recently.  The society will perform its annual Christmas concert on Tuesday and Dec. 4 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Point Clear.  Tickets can be purchased at Page and Palette on Section Street.

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SOCIETY TO PERFORM CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Photo Courtesy of Heather Lee's Photography
ChoirFullnewcr4.JPG
Submitted by Stephanie Crowe

The Eastern Shore Choral Society
will present its 17th annual
Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 and Dec. 4 at St. Francis
Traditional Episcopal Church at
17280 Scenic 98, Point Clear.


The concert will feature Antonio
Vivaldi's "Magnificat" and other
Christmas favorites. 

Ticket are $10 in advance and $12
at the door.  Tickets can be purchased from members and  at Jubilee Music and Page and Palette in Fairhope, The Frame Corner and US Golf in Daphne. 


The society will present its annual Messiah Sing-Along at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 S. Section St., Fairhope.  There is no admission, but donations are welcome to assist the scholarship fund for high school students seeking to increase vocal skills. 

Singers interested in singing with the society should call Stephanie Crowe at 251-929-1896.

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CHORAL SOCIETY NEW SEASON
NewMembersFullcr8-18-08.JPG

Submitted by Stephanie Crowe________________Baldwin Register August 24, 2008

The Eastern Shore Choral Society began rehearsals for its 17th season with a potluck supper at the First Baptist Church in Fairhope.  Rehearsals will continue each Monday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the church.  New members include, from left, front row, Rachel Grant, Glenna Grant, Megan Rae Dillard, Cameron Stallings, Alba Russo, Kyndall Haywood, April Starr Shamma; back row, Alison Inscore, Joshua Davis, Randy Smith, Frank Hixon, Claire Heard and Coleman Tharpe.  New singers are still being accepted.

 

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Photo courtesy of Heather Lees Photography
The Eastern Shore Choral Society will hold a potluck dinner to kick off its new season.  The upcoming season will include concerts at area churches, as well as a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Choral society announces 

upcoming concert schedule 

Eastern Shore vocalists plan 

Carnegie Hall performance

in 2009 

 
Submitted by Stephanie Crowe

     Eastern Shore Choral Society will initiate its 17th season of choral performances by holding a potluck dinner on August 18 for members and new singers interested in learning more about the organization.

    The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the social hall at the First Baptist Church, 300 S. Section Street in Fairhope. 

    Singers interested in challenging themselves to learn exciting music and meet other singers with the goal of contributing a professional choral sound for the community are invited to attend. The Eastern Shore Choral Society's purpose is to perpetuate the art of sacred classical music, as well as performing secular pieces. 

    Music will be distributed, membership dues of $45 will be collected  and vocal evaluations will be conducted at this gathering.  Rehearsals will begin at 7:30 p.m. August 25 and meetings are held every Monday evening.

    The concert season will include the winter concert, which is scheduled for December 4 and 6 at St. Francis Traditional Episcopal Church in Point Clear, featuring the masterwork, Magnificat, by Antonio Vivaldi.

    A communitywide "Messiah Sing-Along" is set for December 15 at Fairhope United Methodist Church and the spring concert will be April 28 and 30 at the First Baptist Church in Fairhope. The spring concert's masterwork will be John Rutter's Requiem.

    A highlight for the choral society next year will be the performance of  Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City, with Director Terry Maddox leading the performance.  Singers interested in performing at Carnegie Hall are invited to contact Maddox by e-mail at tmaddox@gspcmobile.org.

    Positions to join the choral society for this trip are still open.  For further information about the Eastern Shore Choral Society, call Stephanie Crowe at 929-1896 or visit the Web site www.escs.org .

~

Photo by Heather Lees Photography
terryphotoforty.jpg
MADDOX

IN CONCERT

 

Just call him  the Music Man

 

Terry Maddox to direct       

Eastern Shore Choral Society’s

16th annual spring concerts                 

today and Thursday in             

Fairhope.

 

By AMY BROWNING 

Correspondent                                  Baldwin Register -  April 22, 2008   

   Baldwin and Mobile counties have their own music man.

 

   Terry Maddox is director of five choirs in Baldwin and Mobile counties and also serves as musical director of Touro Synagogue in New Orleans.

 

   He conducts the Mobile CommunityChoir, the Spring Hill College Chorale, the sanctuary choir of Government Street Presbyterian Church and the Eastern

Shore Choral Society.  He also conducts the students ages 7 to 13 who make up the Boys and Girls Clubs Honor Choir of

South Alabama.

 

   “With all my various positions, I direct seven choirs per week,” Maddox said.  “It’s a lot of time.  It’s a lot of energy.”

 

   Lately,  he spends time traveling from group to group to prepare for

each of the upcoming concerts.

 

   “He tries to get the best out of singers’voices,” said Stephanie Crowe, a member of the Government Street Presbyterian Church sanctuary choir and the Eastern Shore Choral Society.  “He does so much for the community.”

 

   "Misty Mozart," a Mobile Community Chorus concert that had been scheduled for Sunday at Government Street Presbyterian, has been postponed until June.  A specific date will be announced later.

 

   Maddox has been conducting the Boys and Girls Club choir, which is made up of 18 young singers, for a year and a half.

 

   "They're a great bunch of kids from Mobile and Baldwin Counties," said Maddox.  "They have high energy and high enthusiasm.  It's wonderful to see what music has done to turn these children around."

 

   The Eastern Shore Choral Society will present its 16th annual spring concerts today and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fairhope.  The 60-voice choir will perform songs including Dvorak's "Messe in D" and a selection of spiritual and gospel favorites.  A small instrumental ensemble will provide accompaniment.

 

   The church is at 300 S. Section St. Tickets are $10 and $12 at the door.

 

   Maddox has also been rehearsing with the 20-voice choir on the campus of Spring Hill College.  The fine and performing arts department will present a spring concert by the Spring Hill College Chorale at 4 p.m. Sunday in St. Joseph's Chapel on the college's campus  The title of the concert is "Sounds of Spring from the Hill."  It will feature sacred and secular classics, classical pieces, spiritual songs,  Broadway and pop arrangements.

 

   The concert will also feature soloists from the college's private voice studies program.

 

   Maddox earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Evansville in Indiana and his master's degree in choral conducting from Loyola University in New Orleans.  He has completed half of his doctorate degree there as well, he said. 

 

   He spent eight years living and working in New Orleans where he is employed part time as musical director for Touro Synagogue each Thursday through Saturday.  Before living in New Orleans, he lived in Jackson, Miss.

 

   Maddox served as the assistant preparatory conductor of the Greater Mobile Bay Chorale Association when it performed at Carnegie Hall in 2007.  The group, which includes 175 singers, was invited to sing at the hall.  The choir includes singers from the Mobile Community Chorus,  the sanctuary choir from Government Street Presbyterian, the Eastern Shore Choral Society and the Touro Synagogue.

 

   He has been invited to return to Carnegie Hall in March 2009 to serve as conductor for his chorale association.

 

   "Im very excited about the invitation," said Maddox.  "It's a very great honor."

 

   Anyone interested in being a part of the association is invited to join, said Maddox.

 

   Although he has no one favorite group, he said that there are differences between directing children and adult choirs.  The children are naturally full of enthusiasm and energy.  Getting all the singers focused becomes his goal.

 

   For the adult choirs, the focus is there but he has to keep them energized and driven, he said.  When he is successful, he said, he has a "powerful force of focused musicians."

 

   Each group has its own character, strengths and weaknesses, said Maddox.

 

   "He has got a wonderful personality that is effervescent," Crowe said.  "He is demanding.  He wants it to be fun.  He helps you develop vocal techniques.  He is intense about his music."

 

   According to Maddox, a good conductor pushes his singers to their potential.  He leads them by sharing his passion for the music with his singers.  He is also led by their enthusiasm and energy.  It's a reciprocal relationship that is full of passion and purpose.

 

   "I hope that's what I offer them," said Maddox.  "Every group is unique and that's what makes it fun."

 

~

CONCERT TO BENEFIT MUSIC STUDENTS
choirfullnewcr..jpg
Photo courtesy of Heather Lees Photography
Eastern Shore Choral Society will present its 16th annual Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. April 22 and April 24 at the First Baptist Church, 300 S. Section in Fairhope.  The chorale, under the direction of Terry Maddox, will perform Antonin Dvorak's Messe in D and a collection of spirituals, featuring:  "Wade in the Water," "Come On Children," "Battle of Jericho," "Witness," "Give Me Jesus" and others.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.  Ticket revenue will support the music programs of Baldwin County schools.  Tickets can be purchased at Jubilee Music and Page and Palette in Fairhope or at Duets Gallery & Framing and U.S. Golf in Daphne.  For more information,
visit www.escs.org.
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SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION CROWNS WINNERS
Scholwinnerslast.jpg
Photos submitted by Stephanie Crowe (Click Picture)

                                                                                                    Baldwin Register March 30, 2008
 
The Eastern Shore Choral Society recently announced the winners of the fifth annual Edna Traccarella Scholarship competition held at Trinity Presbyterian Church.  First place was Nicole Corley, a junior at Daphne High School, who received a $500 grant to pursue vocal studies.  Second place went to Cethia Scott, a junior at Baldwin County High School, who received a $400 grant.  Third place went to Virginia Lynn, a freshman at Foley High School, who received $300.  Honorable mention was awarded to Mallory Searcy, a sophomore who is home schooled.  The winners are, from left, front row, Scott and Corley; back row, Searcy and Lynn.
 
Below:  Competing for the sholarships included, from left, front row, Scott; Lottie Jackson, Baldwin County High; Katy O'Neill, McGill-Toolen Catholic High; Corley; Lynn; and, back row, Jackie Pober, Bayside Academy; Cary McKinney, Robertsdale High; Cardinal Seawell, Daphne High; Searcy; Michala Mesler, home schooled; Shelby Graham, home schooled; and not pictured, Rebecca Merchant, Robertsdale High.
SchoParticipants.jpg
(Click on Picture)

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CHORAL GRANTS AWARDED LOCAL SCHOOLS
SchoolGrantsBCHS.jpg
Photo submitted by Stephanie Crowe

Eastern Shore Choral Society presented financial grants to the choral departments of Baldwin County schools on a rotating basis.  The two high schools, each receiving $500 grants this year, included Spanish Fort High School and Baldwin County High School.  These grants will allow the choral director to purchase needed items for their vocal programs. 

 

Supporting music education is an important function of Eastern Shore Choral Society, organizers said. The society also sponsors an annual vocal competition for high school students.  Students interested in competing can contact their choral directors or see www.escs.org for an application.

 

Above, those taking part in the BCHS presentation included, from left, Jane Blaum, ESCS scholarship chairman; John Cabaniss, BCHS principal; Laura Aaron, BCHS choral director; and Stephanie Crowe, President, ESCS.

At bottom, Blaum and Crowe presented the donation to Kathy Hughes, SPHS choral director.

SchoolGrantsSPHS.jpg
Photo submitted by Stephanie Crowe

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NEW VOICES FOR EASTERN SHORE CHORAL SOCIETY

NewMembersJan.jpg
Photo by Stephanie Crowe

Submitted by Stephanie Crowe                           
BALDWIN REGISTER                                                                           February 10, 2008

The Eastern Shore Choral Society
recently inducted several new members.  They include, from left, front row, Cynthia Hyatt, Hope Stembridge, Debbie Burker, Mallory Searcy; and second row, Carrie Owens, Toby Gurley, Eunice Ng, Sharon Moore and Marjorie Searcy.

ESCS is preparing for Spring concerts scheduled for April 22-24 at First Baptist Church in Fairhope. 
                 ~

HER PASSION FOR MUSIC EVIDENT IN PROFESSIONAL, PERSONAL LIFE

By BRENDA G. ANDERSON
Correspondent                                                Baldwin Register  -  February 10, 2008 

Get to Know Ann Whatley
Birthplace:  Mobile
Hometown:  Fairhope
Family:  Husband, Richard; children, Aaron and Adam
Occupation: Elementary school music teacher/piano teacher 
Activities:  Travel, shopping, kayaking, singing, Alabama football

   Ann Whatley's classroom at Fairhope Elementary is brightly decorated with musical notes, pictures of instruments and posters of songs.  On this interview day, Whatley's purple sweater adorned with beaded musical instruments sewn on the front reflects her passion - music.

   But then, she had parents who were musically talented.  "My mother, Erin Rhodes, started teaching me piano when I was 3.  My grandmother also played the piano.  When I was older I took lessons from Mr. Ambrose in Bay Minette.  My father, Dusty Rhodes, played the piano by ear," Whatley said.

   Singing at age 5 at First Baptist Church in Bay Minette set the foundation for her future years.  For the past eight years, she has performed with the Eastern Shore Choral Society.  "I used to sing with the choral society when it first began, but quit because I was too busy with my children.  I joined again after I found out the society was touring Italy the following year.  I had gone to the concert to hear my friend, Dorothy Bodiford, sing a solo when that announcement was made," said Whatley.

   "I'll treasure that experience for the rest of my life.  We sang in cathedrals in Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice.  I'm used to singing with elementary children so my voice has grown since rejoining the choral society," she said.

   "Last year I sang a solo on my birthday when the society sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  It is such a joy to sing, expecially with Terry Maddox, our director who is so talented," said Whatley.

   In addition to singing, Whatley has other talents, such as roller-rink skating.  "My father died when I was 12 so we moved from our 300-acre farm in Bay Minette to Grove Hill, where my grandparents lived.  My grandfather farmed but he also owned a portable skating rink that he'd move from town to town, and I'd go with him.  I still have my original skates, and I can still skate," she said, proudly.

   Following a family legacy, Whatley attended Judson College and majored in music education.  Her first job after college graduation in 1969 was in Tuscaloosa teaching music.  She later got her master's degree in early childhood education from the University of Alabama.  Then she decided to "search for greener pastures."   She moved to Pensacola but first spent a couple of weeks in Mobile where she met her husband, Richard, to whom she has been married 33 years.

   Because of her husband's job, they lived in Dallas, New Orleans and Houston.  "After experiencing Houston's traffic for five years, we decided it was time to come home;  that's when we moved to Fairhope in 1989," she said.

   The next year, Whatley began working in the Baldwin County Public School system.  Seven years ago, she initiated the annual countywide Music Extravaganza, in which more than 300 children participate.  She also has been recipient of the 2007 C.F. "Cliff" Spanier Award at Fairhope Elementary.

   Whatley has interests besides music.  She has ridden a horse as the head marshal in the Order of Mystic Magnolias Mardi Gras parade for 12 years, traveled around the world and enjoys bargain shopping.

               ~

RETIRED DOCTOR HELPS STUDENTS' MUSICAL PURSUITS
By BRENDA G. ANDERSON

Correspondent                                           Baldwin Register  -  January 28, 2008 


Get to Know Jane Blaum

Birthplace:  Knoxville

Hometown:  Daphne

Family:  Husband, Bruce

Occupation: Retired

Activities:  Music, flower gardening, reading


   Growing up in a musical family with a Presbyterian minister father, Jane Blaum was exposed to music early in life.


   "All five of us children sang and my mother played the piano.  My father could sing beautifully, and he also played the baritone horn," Blaum said.

  

   When Blaum moved to Baldwin County in 1994 to take over the dermatology practice of Dr. Henry Earl Jones, music was put on the back burner until the late 1990s. Her husband, Bruce, set up his dental practice in Fairhope, and Blaum worked hard at her successful medical clinic.


   "When I was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, I quit working for a couple of years, sold my part of the practice to Dr. Rob Clark, then returned in 1999 to work with Dr. Bob Sanford until I retired in 2003," she said.


   With retirement, Blaum took on a new responsibility.  "The scholarship program with the Eastern Shore Choral Society had been discussed for several years; I agreed to head this program up," she said.

  

   "I thought it would involve an application and recommendation, but a high school choral teacher really encouraged us to include an audition to prepare these high school students for college auditions.  I've never done anything like this before, but each year, we've had more and more students to apply.  We're going on our fifth year and expect 16 or 17 applications.  The deadline is Feb. 15.  The first prize is $500, which is not bad for a student to sing one classical piece from memory," she said.


   Many events of Blaum's childhood have shaped several aspects of her life.


   "We grew up on a farmette in Tennessee, where we had livestock, a pond and gardens - it was very idyllic.  My mother loved flowers and could name most wildflowers.  To this day, I love to grow flowers, fruit trees and actually make my own jellies," she said.


   When the family moved from Knoxville to Wisconsin, then to Birmingham, Blaum joined the church choir that continues to  influence her life.


   "My father was the senior pastor at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.  I had never been in a choir with trained voices.  They had a magnificent choir," she said.


   Blaum took voice lessons at Birmingham-Southern College during high school, then graduated from that college.


   "My major was philosophy, which was  interesting but not future-job oriented.  I married Bruce in my junior year but finished my degree before we moved to Dothan, where his father's business was located.  I realized I couldn't become gainfully employed, so I commuted to Troy State University for a degree in accounting.  I passed my CPA exam and worked in that field until Bruce and I both decided to change directions in our lives," she said.


   The Blaums entered the University of Alabama at Birmingham - both in pre-med.  Later, Jane became a doctor and Bruce a dentist.  "Our marriage survived those years," she said.


   "I've never regretted my philosophy degree because it was so interesting, and I use my accounting background all the time.  I keep our personal finances, knew all about the finances of my medical practice and keep the books at our business, Storing Solutions," Blaum said.

  

   And she continues her love of music - singing with the Eastern Shore Choral Society and helping students pursue their love of music.                 
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More information about Jane Blaum click here:  Scholarship
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ESCS SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE APPROACHING

 

Submitted by STEPHANIE CROWE          Baldwin Register  -  January 16, 2008

The Eastern Shore Choral Society announced its fifth annual Edna Traccarella Voice Scholarship  competition, which will take place March 8 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Fairhope. The application deadline is February 15.  The competition is open to high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are residents of Baldwin County.  The award for first place if $500, second place is $400 and third place is $300.  Discussing the event, from left, are scholarship Chairwoman Jane Blaum, 2007 scholarship winner Melinda Price and 2007-08 Eastern Shore Choral Society President Stephanie Crowe.  For more information, call Blaum at 232-1098 or visit www.escs.org
.

~



 

***

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We are a non-profit tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization, and as such,

your donations are tax-deductible.

             

  

Eastern Shore Choral Society
P.O. Box 267, Fairhope, Alabama  36533

www.escs.org  or  www.EasternShoreChoralSociety.com

Email:  escs@mchsi.com