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about us CoroAllegro is an ensemble of dedicated avocational singers (professional and experienced amateur) devoted to the accomplished performance of a wide variety of fine choral literature, with particular emphasis on less frequently performed works. Under the direction of Jack Warren Burnam, CoroAllegro has sung in churches, schools and community facilities throughout the State of Delaware and in surrounding states.
Delaware's Premier Chamber Choir welcomes auditions for all voice parts on a continuing basis. Openings in the group are filled as they occur from among qualified auditionees. Trained choral singers with developed technical skills are invited to call or email Music Director Jack Warren Burnam for an appointment: 302-559-9696, or jwburnam@comcast.net. An audition consists of performance of a song of the singer's choice, in any style, exploration of range, tonal memory and aural skills; and a brief selection from choral literature to be sung at sight.
In accordance with our Mission Statement, CoroAllegro regularly performs seasonal or other programs for the area's underserved audiences, particularly those in retirement communities or convalescent centers. For information about scheduling CoroAllegro for a performance at your facility, email our outreach coordinator.
Jack Warren Burnam, our Music Director since the incorporation of CoroAllegro in 1986, is a graduate of Houghton College (NY) and received his master's degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He teaches choral music at Tower Hill School and is the Choirmaster and Organist at Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green in New Castle, Delaware.
The goals of CoroAllegro are: the pursuit of artistic excellence in small ensemble singing, both in a cappella works and in collaboration with instrumental artists; community outreach to traditionally underserved audiences, including individuals in retirement and convalescent communities; and arts literacy and education, ranging from preschool children's classical music programming to interactive workshops with high school students. We aim for an intimate performance environment, which includes rather than separates the audience; attendance at community outreach concerts ranges from 60 to 100, while formal concerts target an audience of 200 to 400. CoroAllegro's combination of small size, artistic excellence and performance versatility, which includes repertoire otherwise not available to Delaware audiences, make it a unique volunteer organization in the Wilmington area.
In the spring of 1986, CoroAllegro (then known as the Delaware Chamber Choir), an auditioned group of twelve adult volunteer singers, was established as an outgrowth of the Performing Arts Society. In 1987 Jack Warren Burnam was named Music Director. Under Mr. Burnam's leadership, not only has the group grown in size, but it has matured in its ensemble and sound, as it explores a diverse and challenging repertoire. This repertoire includes a wide spectrum of vocal music, including Renaissance motets and madrigals, baroque cantatas, chamber works from the classical and romantic periods, and secular and sacred 20th and 21st century works. Whenever possible, music is performed in the original language, which has included such diverse tongues as Spanish, Hebrew, and Czech. In addition CoroAllegro has increased the repertoire for chamber choruses by commissioning new works from noted composers including Alice Parker and Craig Phillips. CoroAllegro enjoys broad support from our patrons and from the arts community. We are consistently awarded grant monies from the Delaware State Arts Council. A continuing addition to the legacy of CoroAllegro is our triennial event "CoroAllegro and Friends," where we augment our performance forces to present major works of the choral repertoire accompanied by orchestra. Past performances have included Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Thanks to the generosity of those who contributed to our recording fund, CoroAllegro has also produced a CD recording, “The Singer,” a compilation of favorite repertoire from past concert performances. Please mark your calendars for this year's concert season. We hope to see you! CoroAllegro |