Our Director
 The Brandywiners Chorale welcomes Darrin Peters as its new director
in the fall of 2007, replacing Marilyn Haas who directed the chorale
for the past 13 years. Darrin is a graduate of West Chester
University with a BS in Music Education and has Instructional
Certification for teaching music in grades K-12 in Delaware,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Darrin has been teaching music and directing choirs for 11 years
in the public school systems of Delaware, Maryland, and currently at
Pennsville Memorial High School and Pennsville Middle School in New
Jersey. He has demonstrated the ability to draw out the talents of
singers of all ages. At Pennsville he conducts seven different
choruses and serves as director and choreographer for the spring
musical production.
Darrin is also an instructor, director, orchestra conductor, and
choreographer for the Young People's Theatre Workshop in Swarthmore,
Pennsylvania. He directed and choreographed productions of "Hello,
Dolly," "Anything Goes," "Oklahoma," and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Darrin is not a newcomer to The Brandywiners, Ltd. as he has
participated in summer shows at Longwood Gardens. He served as
Assistant Music Director for "Evita," and also performed leading
roles in "Me and My Girl" and "State Fair." He has sung with the
Chorale for several years and served as its assistant director.
OUR ACCOMPANIST
 Marian Chau became our accompanist in 2006. Marian's avocation in
music began at the age of two when she started studying piano with
her father, Ted Huang. She went on to study with Benjamin Whitten.
Marian has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Delaware
Symphony, and Newark Symphony.
Having recently retired from a very successful career as Director
of Neonatology for two hospitals in the Philadelphia area, Marian
again devotes considerable time to the piano. The catalyst came when
she served as the accompanist in her oldest daughter's high school
production of "South Pacific." Since then, Marian has accompanied a
production of "My Fair Lady" at the Wilmington Drama League. She was
also one of the rehearsal accompanists for The Brandywiners, Ltd.
shows of "My Fair Lady" and "Anything Goes."
OUR REPERTOIRE
The Chorale offers a broad range of Broadway, contemporary, folk,
and seasonal music with a new program each season. Our concerts
always include a medley of songs from the Broadway show to be
performed at Longwood Gardens in the upcoming summer. It's an
introduction that whets the appetite of the audience to attend the
summer show. We often liven up some songs with dance and/or added
accompaniment on keyboard, bells, bongos, drums, and other
instruments played by members of the chorale.
Our repertoire and performances appeal to all audiences and we
frequently receive standing ovations. Concerts generally last an
hour and can be tailored to the group's needs.
OUR AUDIENCES
The Chorale's concerts are a favorite among many retirement
communities and churches in the area. We have entertained at holiday
and retirement parties at the Wilmington Country Club, the DuPont
Country Club, the Newark Country Club, Delaware Art Museum, Hagley
Soda House, Winterthur Museum and Garden, and the Chase Center
on the Riverfront. The Chorale joined the Delaware Symphony for a
pops concert at the Grand Opera House and has sung at the City of
Wilmington's First Night Celebrations. We have also performed at
Longwood Gardens at Christmas and the Smyrna Opera House where we
will again sing this year.
OUR REQUIREMENTS
The Brandywiners Chorale provides a spirit of joyful song to
diverse audiences. We welcome the opportunity to share this spirit
by participating in your next function. Our only requirements are
that you have sufficient space to accommodate a chorus of 70 voices
and that you have a recently tuned piano. While we are a non-profit
organization, we charge a fee to cover our expenses.
HOW TO REACH US
If you have an interest in learning more about The Brandywiners
Chorale or wish to schedule a concert date, please contact Gene
Stecca, Marketing Manager. He can be reached at (302) 235-7257 or
e-mail EIS25@comcast.net.
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