Begun in 2004 at The Music School of Delaware, the Delaware Women’s Chorus was originally conceived as an ensemble for women over the age of 18 who had some choral singing experience and wanted to revisit those skills in a healthy and supportive atmosphere.

Today, still in residence at The Music School of Delaware, DWC has become one of the Music School’s most distinguished ensembles. Under the direction of Joanne J. Ward, the ensemble has tripled in size and consistently performs throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Members of the chorus hail from four states; range in age from 20 to 83; and represent a wide variety of life styles and ability levels. All singers, however, regardless of age or ability, come together once a week for two hours with the sincere desire to create beautiful music in an artistic, healthful and supportive environment.

Our mission is to provide members with the opportunity to enhance their musical knowledge and skills; to share with our audience, through the wide spectrum of music written specifically for women’s voices, the vast range of human emotion and experience; and to promote singing as a lifelong endeavor.


REHEARSALS

Mondays, 7:00–9:00pm
Wilmington Branch

REQUIREMENTS

Adults 18 years and older, please contact the Music School at (302) 762-1132 to schedule an individual voice assessment with Joanne.
Once you've had the assessment and have instructor approval, REGISTER HERE

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CONCERT SCHEDULE


View the upcoming schedule of Delaware Women's Chorus performances here: Choral Ensemble Performances

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MEDIA


Selections from the DWC/CWC Scotland Send-Off, June 13, 2023



DWC/CWC Virtual Choir Project - As the Rain Hides the Stars



DWC/CWC Virtual Choir Project - Deep River




Enjoy these audio samples of the Delaware Women's Chorus!

2018
The Word Was God
I Am In Need of Music
Zion's Walls
Voice On The Wind
The Sea Witch
Old Grandma
The Tree
Mashed Potato Love Poem
Midsummer, from Seasons of Love
The Lost Rose, from Rose Trilogy
The Time of Roses
The Road Home
All My Trials
Will The Circle Be Unbroken

2016
Ave Maria (11th Century)
Ave Maria (Larkin)
Arise, My Love (Farnell)
Music In My Mother's House (Moore)
Three Poems from the Parlor - No. 1
Miss Jane Austin (Daley)
From Dusk to Dawn (Walker)

2013
Goin' Up Yonder
I Dream A World

MEET THE DELAWARE WOMEN'S CHORUS DIRECTOR

Joanne J. Ward, conductor, received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Montclair University and a Master of Music in voice from West Chester University. She has studied voice with Benjamin Wilkes, Larry Dorminy, and Kate Madole and has been a lead performer with area churches, choral ensembles, and theatrical companies.

Mrs. Ward formerly served as the Director of Choral Activities for the Pennsville Public School District in Pennsville, New Jersey. She was the founder and artistic director of The Wilmington Youth Chorale and The Delaware Children’s Chorus at The Music School of Delaware, retiring from that position in 2004. She currently serves as conductor and artistic director of The Delaware Women’s Chorus and The Cantabile Women’s Chorus, both in residence at The Music School of Delaware.

Mrs. Ward maintains a large private voice studio in both Wilmington and Milford, Delaware. Her students are annually selected for regional, state and national honor choirs. She continues to be in demand as a choral conductor and adjudicator as well as a soprano soloist. She currently serves as Vocal/Choral Department Head as well as Master Faculty with Distinction.


She resides with her husband and two cats in New Jersey.

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This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

The Music School of Delaware is proud to be an active partner in the IN Wilmington Arts Campaign.
 
Delaware Women's Chorus