OUR HISTORY


1998

Six friends have dinner and discuss the creation of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.


1999

Summer 1999: Sing-a-longs are scheduled to promote interest in the community to create a chorus representing gay Delaware as well as search for an artistic director.

Summer 1999: The Chorale bylaws are created and the choir is incorporated as a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization under the auspices of attorney David Facciolio of Wilmington.

Summer 1999: Elliot Jones is named as founding Artistic Director of the Chorale. Scott Meadows is
elected the first President of the organization.

Fall 1999: The Chorale begins rehearsals at West Presbyterian Church on Eighth Street in Wilmington. David Shueck is the first accompanist.

December 1999: The Chorale performs for the first time at 1st and Central Presbyterian Church, Wilmington. 34 persons step into the spotlight.


2000

January 2000: Kymberly Thompson serves as the President of the Chorale.

May 11, 2000: The first Bingo-a-go-go fundraiser is staged in Wilmington.

Summer 2000: Ron Schnorbus is elected President of the Chorale.

August 2000: The Chorale moves its rehearsal space to Westminster Presbyterian Church.

September 2000: Michael Helman joins the Chorale as its collaborative pianist.


2001

January 2001: The Chorale performs for the inauguration of Governor Ruth Ann Minner of Delaware.

January 2001: Ron Schnorbus is re-elected as the president of the Chorale.

June 2001: The Chorale performs at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, sharing the stage with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC.

July 2001: The Chorale travels to Cincinnati to participate in it’s first GALA conference, a
northeastern regional conference.


2002

January 2002: Paul Jensen is elected president of the Chorale but steps down in April.

April 2002: Jessie Cocks assumes the role of president.


2003

January 2003: Kitty Harrison is inducted as the president of the Chorale.

March 2003: The Chorale performs its first cabaret at OperaDelaware studios.

December 2003: The Chorale adopts its tag line, “Eliciting Change Through Music.”

December 2003: The Chorale celebrates its fifth anniversary.


2004

January 2004: Daniel Gallery is elected president of the Chorale.

May 2004: The Chorale puts up its website www.therainbowchorale.org.

May 2004: The Chorale performs its spring concert with special guest the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus.

June 2004: The Chorale is special guest performer at a Philadelphia Gay Mens’ Chorus performance.

July 2004: The Chorale travels to Montreal to participate in its first International GALA Conference. Its rendition of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” in front of 4,000 audience members brings down the house.

September 2004: The Chorale participates for the first time as a team in “AIDS Walk Delaware.”

October 2004: The Chorale holds its first retreat.

December 2004: The Chorale releases its first CD; “Sing Me to Heaven,” representing its first six years of musical excellence.

2005:

June 2005: Daniel Gallery is re-elected as president of the Chorale.

January 2005: The Chorale performs a second time for incumbent Governor, Ruth Ann Minner, at her inauguration ceremony.

June 2005: The Chorale performs its first PRIDE concert in Rehoboth Beach at Epworth United Methodist Church.

August 2005: Hiroko Yamazaki joins the Chorale as collaborative pianist.

October 2005: The Chorale receives it’s first grant.

December 2005: Governor Minner issues a proclamation declaring February 19, 2006 to be Rainbow Chorale of Delaware Day.

2006

February 2006: The Chorale takes the stage at Carnegie Hall, performing “When We No Longer Touch, a cycle of songs for survival” by John Kristofer Anthony.

March 2006: The Mayor of Wilmington and the Governor of Delaware send letters of congratulations to the Chorale as a result of its performance of “Hail Wilmington,” the official song of the city. The song had not been performed since 1923.

June 2006: Christopher White is elected president of the Chorale.

August 2006: The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware sings the "Star Spangled Banner" for the Philadelphia Phillies.

September 2006: The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware participates in the 20th annual AIDS Walk.

2007

March 2007: The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware sings "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "Hail Wilmington" at the City of Wilmington's 175th anniversary celebration held at Old Town Hall.

June 2007: Elliot Jones directs his farewell performance as Artistic Director in Why We Sing.

June 2007: Alison Skinner is named the second Artistic Director of the Chorale. Daniel Gallery
is elected President of the Chorale. (read less)

OUR HISTORY


1998

Six friends have dinner and discuss the creation of The Rainbow Chorale of Delaware.


1999

Summer 1999: Sing-a-longs are scheduled to promote interest in the community to create a chorus representing gay Delaware as well as search for an artistic director.

Summer 1999: The Chorale bylaws are created and the choir is incorporated as a non-profit
501(c)(3) organization under the auspices of attorney David Facciolio of Wilmington.

Summer 1999: Elliot Jones is named as foun... (read more)