About the Chorale
The Chesapeake Chorale began as the vision of founding President and Artistic Director, Kimberly Leggett. The Chorale’s mission of enhancing and sustaining school music programs benefits the community both culturally and financially. All proceeds collected from ticket sales are given to area schools to keep music programs alive and thriving. Since our founding in 1996, this non-profit, volunteer community choir has grown in size from 30 to nearly 100 members at one point and donated in excess of $260,000 in equipment and money for the improvement of school performance facilities and music programs.
Artistic Director — Dr. Cheryl Brown Davis was educated in the Richmond City and Chesterfield County Virginia Schools. In 1970 she received a Bachelor of Music Ed. degree from Madison College, in 1971 a Master of Music in vocal performance and choral conducting from The University of Michigan, and in 1990 a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Virginia. In 1972 Dr. Brown Davis began her teaching career in the Cheboygan, Michigan Public schools. She subsequently taught choral music at Ferguson High School in Newport News, in Rockingham County, Virginia, in Ann Arbor Michigan Public Schools, and for five years she taught at North Dakota State University. From 1998-2007, Dr. Brown taught vocal music in Albemarle County, Virginia. After her husband retired in 2007, Dr. Brown Davis returned to Newport News and taught at Riverside Elementary School until her retirement in 2011. Dr. Brown Davis has been a frequent guest conductor and vocal music adjudicator in district and state festivals for the past thirty-five years in Virginia, Michigan, and North Dakota. She continues to perform as a guest soprano soloist and choral conductor. She conducts the Annual Messiah “Sing-In” each December held at Kilmarnock United Methodist Church. She retired from teaching in June 2011 and lives in Heathsville with her husband, William Davis. She became Artistic Director of the Chesapeake Chorale in 2013 and also directs Nouvelet Chamber Choir. She is currently serving as President of the Virginia Federation of Music Clubs and is a member of the Northumberland County School Board.
Accompanist -- Beth Conley was born and raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. After living in Maryland and West Virginia she moved to the Northern Neck in 1996. She started piano lessons at the age of 6 and studied privately for approximately 18 years. Beth began playing for church at the age of 12 and continues to this day in several area churches. She has been teaching piano lessons privately in her home for 30 years as well as at the former Center for The Arts in Kilmarnock for 4 years and at Chesapeake Academy in Irvington for 12 years. Since the year 2020, she has taught solely at her home studio and travels to the homes of some of her students. Over the course of her musical career, Beth has accompanied over 20 musicals performed at local theaters, played with the Northern Neck Orchestra, and accompanied Chesapeake Chorale for two seasons since coming to the Northern Neck. She is looking forward to returning as accompanist for Chesapeake Chorale this season and is thrilled to be working with her dear friend Cheryl Davis and all the talented voices of the Chorale. Five years ago Beth ecstatically joined the ranks of “Mimi” with the birth of her first grandson, and has happily welcomed two more since then. She resides in Northumberland County with her husband, family, and a plethora of furry and feathered friends.
Come sing with us!
There are no auditions or fees. The only requirements are the love of music and joy of performance. Practices for our Christmas Concerts traditionally begin the first Monday after Labor Day.
We rehearse from 7-9 pm on Monday evenings at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock.
Many singers have also taken advantage of other opportunities to sing, including a special performance at the Holly & The Ivy, A Traditional Carol Sing at Historic Christ Church in Weems, Virginia.
Announcements of performances are made through the local press and will also be found on our Concerts page.
If you are interested in joining the Chesapeake Chorale, please contact our
Artistic Director Dr. Cheryl Brown Davis.
The Chorale is always seeking new members with
a love of music and a desire to sing!
There are no auditions or fees. The only requirements are the love of music and joy of performance. Practices for our Christmas Concerts traditionally begin the first Monday after Labor Day.
We rehearse from 7-9 pm on Monday evenings at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock.
Many singers have also taken advantage of other opportunities to sing, including a special performance at the Holly & The Ivy, A Traditional Carol Sing at Historic Christ Church in Weems, Virginia.
Announcements of performances are made through the local press and will also be found on our Concerts page.
If you are interested in joining the Chesapeake Chorale, please contact our
Artistic Director Dr. Cheryl Brown Davis.
The Chorale is always seeking new members with
a love of music and a desire to sing!
Example of press coverage of Chorale Donations to Schools - 2018
The Chesapeake Chorale Board of Directors
