Come to Holy Cross Lutheran Church most weeks during the school year and if you’re there at just the right time, the sounds of music and laughter will be ringing through the halls. Each Thursday at 12:30, 30 to 40 women come together to make music and deepen friendships as members of the Meridian Women’s Chorus.
Meridian began in 2001 when Jill Crandall brought together women from all over the Athens area to focus on singing good women’s music, both a cappella and accompanied, in a variety of venues. Their first concert was in 2002, and they became an official tax-exempt nonprofit soon after. Over the years they’ve performed dozens of free concerts, ranging from lighter offerings like Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies,” to Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols.”
Each of their four artistic directors has broadened their repertoire to include classical choral music, musical theater favorites, and pop music.
During the pandemic, the group continued some activities online. In 2022, local voice instructor and choral director Stacie Court was hired to work with the executive committee to bring the group back to the forefront of the Athens music community.
Last April they performed their annual Spring concert to a standing room only crowd at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in a concert to raise awareness of the services and needs of the Athens Area Humane Society. “Animals Everywhere.” Each December, their very popular Tapestry concert includes a variety of musicians, including recorders and handbells.
Many Athens area women have sung in Meridian over the years, with the current roster sitting at 34 singers.
“Singing with Meridian since 2003 has been a great joy for me,” Wren Howard says. “I love to sing but most of all I love to sing with others. There is nothing comparable to singing with a chorus.”
New member Karen Bouchard joined in 2023 after hearing the group perform a Memorial Day concert. “I’m not professionally trained but when I’m singing with a group, I am totally focused on the music. It’s my happy place.”
For those interested in joining, there is a $50 membership fee and a 10-minute vocal assessment.
“This one-on-one gives me a chance to understand where the singer is in her development and make recommendations to help her achieve a lifetime of singing,” explains Court. “Knowing the voices and levels of ability helps me better plan the music for our concerts and the rehearsals themselves.”
For more information on joining, contact Court at meridianathensga@gmail.com or 706-424-9516. The group rehearses throughout the year during the middle of the day, hence the name “Meridian.”
The Spring concert will be held April 27, at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.
