| The Community Chorus was first organized by the Cultural Affairs Division of the Denton Chamber of Commerce in 1967. During the early years of the chorus, concerts were limited to an annual December performance of Handel’s Messiah and a spring performance at the Fine Arts Festival.
By 1970 the chorus was reorganized and named Denton County Music Association (DCMA). The chorus broadened its repertoire to include Broadway musicals. For several years, the DCMS was the only community arts group available to members of the community. Dr. Stephen Farish was the first musical director.
In 1989 the chorus was renamed the Denton Community Chorus, Inc. and was chartered as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and currently operates as such.
The DCC has a long history of offering a venue for Denton residents to participate in a chorus without audition and to experience a variety of music from classical to pops to Broadway standards. This year the chorus marks its 41st anniversary and continues to provide the opportunity for Denton County residents to sing in an organized chorus under the direction of a trained director.
The chorus performs four major concerts a season, sings at the Arts & Jazz Festival and periodically provides entertainment for residential nursing facilities and regional festivals. From time to time, DCC collaborates with guest artists, such as DISD music groups, local free-lance musicians, and even professional performers, such as Brave Combo, to bring a variety of chorus music to the Denton community.
The Denton Community Chorus is currently under the direction of Mark Baker. He has resided in the Denton area since 1990 and is the current Denton High School Choir Director. Prior to taking the D.C.C. post, Mark was the Credo Choir director at First Methodist Church in Denton. He has conducted choirs in schools for over 25 years. In 1996, he was the recipient of the CARE award. Mark lives in Denton with his wife Vicki and son Benjamin.
D.C.C. is accompanied by Ms. Julie Nelson. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Texas Woman’s University. Julie teaches piano privately and accompanies other ensembles and soloists in the Denton area. |
