Ann joined the Bellingham Chamber Chorale when it was formed in 2003. She is very fortunate to be able to sing in this amazing group. In this photo from their website, Ann is in the front row second from the left.
Ann joined the Bellingham Chamber Chorale when it was formed in 2003. She is very fortunate to be able to sing in this amazing group. In this photo from their website, Ann is in the front row second from the left.
Ann & Arvin Chaikin both love classical music! Both were raised in homes where music was playing on the radio or from records most of the time. Both developed a deep love of this music and both are now actively involved in its promotion and performance. Ann is a singer and Arvin plays classical guitar and piano. Both attend as many concerts as they can fit into their busy lives. Here are some of the musical groups they are involved with.
In 2003 local conductor Tim Fitzpatrick started a new chamber chorale of 32-40 voices. Ann was delighted to pass the audition and become a member of the Bellingham Chamber Chorale. This fine chamber choir presents three concerts each year, in December, late March and June. Membership is by audition. Visit their website at www.bellinghamchamberchorale.org.
It is a very sad day for Bellingham. After 14 fabulous years the Bellingham Festival of Music has been disbanded. No longer will the high-quality concerts fill the summer air with amazing beauty. Our summers will never be the same.
Both Ann and Arvin were involved in the Bellingham Festival of Music since its first season in 1993. They purchased the first set of season tickets when the festival began and attended almost every performance during its 14 years of existence. They hosted a member of the orchestra or opera cast each summer for all but the first year of the Festival when they were unaware that they could host musicians. Ann joined the Festival Chorus when it began and continued to add her voice to the choral concerts that became a regular part of the festival. Both Ann and Arvin wish to thank all who participated in and lent their support to the Festival.
Originally known as The Bellingham Women's Music Club this group has been in existence since 1917. The club meets the first Wednesday of the month (except for January, July and August) at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellingham for a 10:30 a.m. one-hour-long concert. Winners of student scholarships and local soloists and chamber groups perform. The group offers scholarships in piano, voice, and instrumental music to high school and Western Washington University music students. The public is welcome to attend monthly meetings. The group does not have a website.
Ann is one of the original members of The New Albion Early Music Guild. The Guild was founded in 2006 by Brent Johnson to support early music in the Bellingham area. The group meets Thursday evenings to practice their art and prepare works for performance. The group consists of both singers and instrumentalists. Visit their website at newalbion.org.
Arvin is one of the founding members of The Northwest Classical Guitar Society. The society was established in 1992 to foster classical guitar music in Bellingham and Whatcom County. The group meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Fairhaven Library in Bellingham. Everyone is welcome to their meetings where members play for each other. It is not necesarry to be a highly-trained guitarist to perform and non-players are also welcome to enjoy the music. The group sponsors a number of classical guitar concerts each year. Visit their website at www.nwcgs.org.
In 1990 Ann joined the Whatcom Chorale shortly after moving to Bellingham. She continued to sing with the Chorale until 2006. In 2002 the Whatcom Chorale completed its 30th year of bringing classical choral music to Bellingham and Whatcom County. The Chorale is a community group of over 100 members dedicated to presenting concerts of highest quality and to providing opportunities for people in the community to experience the joy of singing fine a cappella and accompanied choral music. Membership is by audition.
In 2004 the Chorale added the Whatcom Chorale Sinfonia to accompany the chorale and make available to the community concerts of orchestral chamber works. Together the Chorale and Sinfonia present five to seven concerts each year. Visit their website at www.whatcomchorale.org.
The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra has been bringing fine symphonic music to Bellingham and Whatcom County for 32 years. Ann and Arvin have been attending their concerts since they moved to Bellingham in 1990. They've watched the orchestra grow in stature over these years. Today is one of the premier community orchestras in the country. Visit their website at www.whatcomsyphony.com.