Gulf Shores choral group announces fall schedule

Submitted by Jon Ingram

GULF SHORES - After a successful second season premiere concert in August, The Dowling Singers - an ensemble of highly trained and auditioned vocalists announces an extensive lineup of fall concerts.

The group will present a concert of sacred music at the following times and locations: Oct. 1 at Orange Beach United Methodist Church, Orange Beach, AL, Oct. 21 at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church, Mobile, AL, Nov. 4 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel, Magnolia Springs, AL and Nov. 5 at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church, Gulf Shores, AL. All concerts will begin at 7:00 p.m. The concert on Oct. 21 will be the group’s debut performance in Mobile.

The Dowling Singers comprises 15 skilled vocalists from Baldwin and Mobile counties and is conducted by Don Dowling, founder and former conductor of the Peoria Area Civic Chorale ( Peoria , IL ) and, most recently, the Coastal Chorale. Dowling describes the purpose of the group as an ideal format to present challenging works of choral music to a broad audience of listeners.

Singers include sopranos Carolyn Bennett ( Gulf Shores ), Lisa Cardwell (Foley), Bonnie Hariel ( Mobile ), Charmein Moser (Spanish Fort); altos Betsy McKinney ( Orange Beach ), Kathy Stastka (Daphne), Leeanne Stilley (Foley), Theresa Wood ( Orange Beach ); tenors Kevin Dyess (Bay Minette), Dan Norris (Foley), Lloyd Stilley (Foley); and basses Keith Foster (Foley), Joey Stastka (Daphne), Jim van Matre ( Mobile ) and Jan Zuercher (Spanish Fort). The group is accompanied by Kayla Dowling.

The concerts will include both new and traditional sacred works, including a number of challenging a cappella selections. The program will include audience favorites from the first season such as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” “I Believe” and “Te Deum,” a soaring rendition of a traditional Christian prayer set to music by well-known Christian composer Mark Hayes. The group will also present several new selections, including “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus, “Wells Jubilate” and “Look to the Day” by John Rutter.

All concerts are free and open to the public. For further information, call 251-948-2839, e-mail thedowlingsingers@gmail.com, or find them on Facebook at Dowling Singers.