About HCA

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 Mission statement: Bringing the best choral music to Hagerstown and the tri-state area through volunteer, auditioned community membership while providing a welcoming and musically satisfying experience for local singers. 

History 

HCA was founded in 1993 by Gregory P. Shook and Ned Wetherald, local musicians who desired to create a vocal ensemble that would perform both sacred and secular music from a variety of musical periods, styles, and cultures. Prior to 1993.

Hagerstown and Washington County lacked an established choral group. HCA has filled a void in the community’s cultural arts scene. Gregory Shook became the artistic director in 1994 when Ned Wetherald departed from the group to become Director of Music and Worship for the Presbyterian Church in State College, PA.

Continued Musical Excellence

Hagerstown Choral Arts continues to grow in size, skill, and variety of musical offerings. HCA has continued to hold an average of 60 members each season.  HCA furthers its goal to increase awareness and appreciation of music in the community by collaborating with local organizations, performing arts groups, and musicians. 

HCA performs in local churches, and other community venues, featuring local musicians, soloists, and music students in its concerts. Being invited to perform with both the Maryland Symphony Orchestra and the Hagerstown Municipal Band, HCA continues to reach a broad section of our community, performing music that some may hear for the first time during these performances. 

HCA’s performances have consistently included at least two major concerts per year, with a repertoire ranging from classical works, such as Haydn’s Creation, and  Mozart's Requiem, and lighter pieces, such as those composed my great American artists, like Cohen and Porter, to patriotic  music, including the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. 

HCA Nondiscrimination policy

HCA does not advocate, support or practice discrimination based upon race, sex, age, physical ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, religious or political beliefs, marital or family status, national or ethnic origin. This applies to all HCA programs and activities.

Music Staff

Janet Palmer - Artistic Director 

Caleb Wescott - Associate Director

Mary Mae Remsburg- Accompanist and Rehearsal Assistant 

Board

Carolyn Ritchey Mentzer – President

Brian McClinton– Vice President

Shannon Lang—Secretary 

Robin Spickler – Librarian

Elizabeth Cuthbert – Outreach Chair

Daria Reigler – Outreach

Heather Hughes – Outreach

Daniel Ritchey – IT Administrator

Caleb Wescott

Janet Palmer

Christopher Stockslager – Treasurer

Charlotte Trout – Grants Manager