York County Choral Society to feature Fishburne and Lowry in Commemorative 40th Season Concert

The York County Choral Society (YCCS) is excited to announce the return of its two founders to take part in the final concert of the organization’s fortieth season. YCCS was formed in the 1981-82 season by Drs. David Lowry and Shirley Fishburne, both former music faculty members at Winthrop University. Sharing a mutual love for choral music and community, the two founders formed the group with the purpose of performing choral masterworks with the composers’ intended accompaniments. The founders expected about two-dozen people to attend the initial organizational interest meeting for the ensemble and were overjoyed when attendance reached more than 120 community members. From the outset, the chorus numbered over 50 voices and it has continued to date with consistent strength. Lowry served as artistic director for thirty seasons until he was succeeded by Dr. Katherine Kinsey in 2012. Fishburne would serve as accompanist for the group for the first twelve seasons until she was succeeded by Ms. Susan Read who retired from the group in 2014. All three individuals are revered as both remarkable musicians and thoughtful leaders throughout the Rock Hill and York County communities.
While under the artistic direction of Lowry, the chorus toured twice to the United Kingdom (2000 and 2003), performed in the Piccolo Spoleto festival held in Charleston, SC, and was in residence at the Washington National Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul for three Evensongs and one Eucharist. In preparation of the ensemble’s fortieth season, Kinsey, current artistic director, stated, “I am excited to welcome David and Shirley back for our fortieth season. If it were not for their foresight and unwavering devotion to choral music in York County, YCCS would not be what it is today. This organization has continued to have a significant impact on the arts community of York County and surrounding areas. The members of this ensemble are excited to share this concert with the community and to rekindle personal connections nurtured over the past forty years. To this day, many of the singers are founding YCCS members. What a fantastic legacy to have, and one that we hope to continue to build on for many years to come!”
During its fortieth season, the YCCS main choir has prepared major choral works for performance consisting of the following: Handel’s Messiah Part I, Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, and Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem). The first two concerts took place in December 2021 and March 2022, respectively. The main choir will perform Brahms’ Requiem on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 4:00PM in the sanctuary of Oakland Baptist Church located at 1067 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Fishburne will present an organ prelude prior to the start of the performance, consisting of works by Brahms and Locklair. Lowry will take to the podium to conduct the first movement of the Requiem. Tickets may be purchased at the door, online, or from any current YCCS main choir member. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $10 for senior adults (65+), and $5 for students. Please visit our website at www.yorkcountychoralsociety.org for more information about the organization, membership, and upcoming concerts. YCCS performances are made possible through the support of our valued patrons and community partners. In support of our final concert for 2022, YCCS was awarded a $1000 grant by the Arts Council of York County Small Grants Program, which receives funding from the Rock Hill A-Tax/Tourism Commission, the SC Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
York County Choral Society to feature Fishburne and Lowry in Commemorative 40th Season Concert