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About Us
Formed in 2017, The Gettysburg Choral Society Inc. is an auditioned regional chorus of volunteers.
Mission Statement: The Gettysburg Choral Society, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization composed of auditioned singers who volunteer their talents to pursue excellence in choral music performance.
The chorus is open to all singers ages 18 and above who match the specific needs of the chorus and demonstrate vocal competence. Prior choral singing experience and the ability to read music are a requirement.
We rehearse on Monday evenings from 7-9 pm at Trinity United Church of Christ in Gettysburg, PA.
Auditions are held prior to the beginning of each rehearsal cycle and are by appointment only. People interested in joining the chorus may schedule a personal audition by contacting our director, John McKay.
Meet our team
Julie Strickland and John McKay formed The Gettysburg Choral Society of Trinity UCC in 2017 with a few goals in mind:
- Fill a niche for for an auditioned chorus which focuses on singing more traditional pieces
- Encourage more people to come through the doors of Trinity UCC during a time when churches are struggling
- Meet new people and create beautiful music together
Our endeavor has been very successful and in 2022, we became The Gettysburg Choral Society, Inc., which fulfilled our desire to become an independent 501(c)(3). We are now a tax-exempt, charitable organization!
We are grateful to Trinity UCC for helping us to get started under their nonprofit umbrella, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for GCS!
John McKay, Director
John McKay holds the B.A. in voice from the University of Richmond and an M.M. in choral conducting from Eastern Kentucky University, where he was graduate assistant to the director of choral activities. He has done additional graduate studies in music at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY and at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C. As a tenor soloist, John performed with the Richmond Sinfonia and with the United States Continental Army Band. He has been a guest director, lecturer and clinician at a number of Orthodox music conferences. For a number of years, he was the director of music and a cantor at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond, VA. Additionally, he has been music director in several Protestant denominations. For a decade he served as special correspondent (music critic) for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He is currently director of the senior choir at Trinity UCC. John serves as Vice President/Artistic Director of the chorus.
Julie Strickland, Manager
Julie Strickland received the B.A. in theatre from Elizabethtown College, with a dual minor in communications and English professional writing. A native of Gettysburg, she serves as Vice President of her family's multigenerational business, Strickland Enterprises, Inc. Julie's artistic ability, business acumen and strong community connections continue to help make the chorus an increasingly well-known and well-run organization. Julie serves as President/Manager of the chorus.
Sally Wolfe, Accompanist
Sally Wolfe began with the chorus as a tenor. When the need arose for an accompanist, she volunteered--and she has done a fantastic job! Today, she accompanies and sings whenever she has the opportunity. In addition to playing for various churches over the years, she and her late husband performed around the Mid-Atlantic region as the gospel team of Sally and El. Sally has sung in a number of choral groups and even directed several Barbershop chapters. She often provides dinner music for the Carriage House Restaurant in Emmitsburg, MD.