The Eastern Shore Choral Society (ESCS), a 60-plus member SATB chorus under the direction of Paul  Anderson with Mary Katherine Kilgore as accompanist, is pleased to announce the first rehearsal of its 19th year of choral arts performance, service and advocacy in Baldwin County.

The open practice will be from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, at First Baptist Church of Fairhope. The church is located at 300 South Section Street.

Rehearsals take place on Mondays on the 2nd floor accessed from the North entrance. An elevator is available.

Member dues are $45 per semester and cover the cost of each singer's music. As part of ESCS's long commitment to supporting choral arts education, dues are waived for students of high school age and above. This season the organization is actively seeking to add more student vocalists who will sing with the whole chorus and as part of ESCS’s emerging Young Vocalists of the Eastern Shore ensemble group.

ESCS’s 2010 Winter Season includes “A Christmas Festival,” ESCS’s 19th Annual Winter Holiday Concert to be presented on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne, with all tickets $15 and a corporate or organizational rate available for group purchases of 10 or more. ESCS also will host “Messiah Sing,” open to singers and music lovers of all ages. This free community sing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at St. Francis at the Point in Point Clear.

ESCS is a non-profit 501(c)3, all-volunteer SATB chorus organization, dedicated to: presenting programs of high quality vocal music for public entertainment and personal enrichment; promoting greater appreciation and enjoyment of good music, both classical and modern, by the citizens in and around Baldwin County; joining with other such organizations to provide programs of educational or cultural benefit for the citizens in and around Baldwin County; assisting Baldwin County high school age singers with scholarships for lessons or summer music camps; and supporting middle and high school choral programs in Baldwin County Schools with financial contributions.

ESCS has performed in multiple locations in Europe and twice at Carnegie Hall. The choral organization was recently invited to participate in a 2011 Memorial Day Concert at Kennedy Center.

For further information about the Eastern Shore Choral Society, joining our membership, or our 2010 Winter concerts and performances, please call President Deborah Bruker at 251-223-2585, e-mail b.dw@me.com or visit www.escs.org.