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 -- Arline Hinkson has been active as a performer and teacher. She did her piano studies with Katherine Bacon at the Julliard School of Music and with Pierre Sancan at the Conservatoire de Paris. She received a Masters Degree in Music Education and a Professional Diploma in School Administration from Long Island University. Arline retired from a career as Director of Music for the Westbury School system on Long Island where she taught strings, employing her violin background. She has appeared as a soloist with the Oklahoma City Symphony, the C.W. Post Orchestra and the Northern Neck Orchestra. She has been a performing member of the Long Island Symphony, the North Shore Symphony, the Tidewater Intergenerational Orchestra and the Northern Neck Orchestra. Embracing the musical life of the area, she has been active in the Crewe String Program and as the secretary for the Rappahannock Music Study Club. Arline has also appeared in performances with churches and chamber groups.
In Memory of Matthew C. Rosendahl
Chesapeake Chorale members past and present were saddened to learn that Matt died on January 30, 2024 in North Carolina, of lung cancer at age 75. He is survived by his wife, Victoria. Matt was the long time Artistic Director of the Chesapeake Chorale. Over almost two decades Matt taught us to sing and perform hundreds of songs for our annual Christmas Concerts. In the early years he also prepared us for a Spring Concert as well as the Christmas concerts.
Matt taught us, inspired us and entertained us. Rehearsals were always fun. He would admonish us not to “scoop” up to our pitch and warned us “not to follow the sopranos, they will lead you astray every time!” Audiences will recall enjoying the professional, polished performances that he directed. Members will recall the joy we each received personally singing with Matt. Local schools received over $200,000 in contributions to their music programs during the years Matt directed the Chorale. We will miss Matt but will endeavor to carry on the tradition that he has left us with.
Matt taught us, inspired us and entertained us. Rehearsals were always fun. He would admonish us not to “scoop” up to our pitch and warned us “not to follow the sopranos, they will lead you astray every time!” Audiences will recall enjoying the professional, polished performances that he directed. Members will recall the joy we each received personally singing with Matt. Local schools received over $200,000 in contributions to their music programs during the years Matt directed the Chorale. We will miss Matt but will endeavor to carry on the tradition that he has left us with.
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
