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Highlands Today

Delta Chorale Shares Music With The Masses

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Frances Swope, president of Highlands Delta Chorale, and other chorale members practice a Christmas carol on Monday in Sebring.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: October 17, 2007

A love for not only music but also Highlands County resonated through the social hall at Church of the Brethren on Monday night.

As David Rinald passionately directed the Highlands Delta Chorale, they sang of palm trees, gentle breezes, blue skies, golden sunsets and the scent of oranges.

"The Highlands are my home," the musicians sang as the refrain.

Richard Wedig, accompanist for the chorale, authored the composition, "My Highlands Home," to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Highlands Delta Chorale, which is this month.

"(The piece) installs the beauty of living in Highlands County and truly is an anthem to the area," Wedig said. "It's my home and it's special to me."

Wedig said he often wakes up with a melody in his head. When he has an instrument on hand, he records it and works toward a compilation. The words seem to fit in later with his original melodies.
"It's a real thrill to hear the pieces actually come alive," Wedig said. "I hear it in my head, but it's not the same as hearing it performed live."

In addition to "My Highlands Home," Wedig has composed patriotic and Thanksgiving-themed pieces, which will be featured as part of this year's concert lineup to commemorate the silver anniversary.
The chorale group started in 1982, when a singing group in Sebring Hills decided to open up to the public. They recruited Rinald as their director, and he has served in that position for 24 of the 25 years.
"Right about this time 25 years ago, we started meeting at the First Christian Church with a group of about 25 to 30 singers," Rinald said. "After about the third practice, we decided we had something good and decided to make our group official."

They chose the name Delta, the letter in the Greek alphabet that resembles a triangle, to represent the three cities in the county, Rinald said.

Although few of the original members still participate, Rinald said he has consistently had a talented group of performers.

"A lot of our members have a great deal of experience singing or playing instruments," Rinald said. "We have retired music teachers, an accomplished opera singer and one with an extensive background in barbershop quartet."

An audition is not required, but a passion for music is.

"We are always open to new members," Wedig said. "We are looking for anyone who loves to sing and is willing to make the commitment to practice."

When the winter residents are in town, the group has about 50 members who practice weekly in an informal environment at the church social hall.

They perform in sharp black and white concert attire, and their varied repertoire includes classical, sacred, secular, gospel, seasonal and patriotic numbers.

The chorale has performed at numerous churches, civic groups, clubs and with the South Florida Community College Community Orchestra. They even traveled to Mexico in 1989 to perform two shows, each of which received standing ovations in a cathedral filled with more than 1,000 people.
The Highlands Delta Chorale practices from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at Church of the Brethren, located at 700 S. Pine St.

The first concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Church of the Brethren.

To schedule a concert, contact David Rinald at 386-0653.

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