OUR DIRECTOR
The Brandywiners Chorale has been under the direction of Darrin Peters since the fall of 2007. Darrin sang tenor with the group for many years under the direction of Marilyn Haas, the previous director. Darrin graduated from West Chester University in 1992 with a BS in Music Education with an Instructional Certification for teaching music in grades K-12.
Darrin has taught music and directed choirs for over 24 years in the public-school systems of Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. While teaching at Pennsville Memorial High School and Pennsville Middle School in Pennsville, New Jersey, he served as the high school and middle school Choral Director, Vocal Academy Chair and Drama Club advisor. During his time there, he built a summer theatre program involving over 100 students from grades 2-12, while raising $95,000.00 for the renovation of the auditorium. He also conducted nine different choirs which sang at many local nursing homes, rotary club dinners and community events. In addition, he taught theatre and dance classes, and served as director/music director/choreographer for the spring and summer musical productions. Every year, under his direction, several of his vocal academy students were selected for Salem County All-Honors Choir, South Jersey Sr High & Jr High Choruses, NJ All-State Chorus and All-Eastern Chorus, many times in the top 5 seats in their voice part. Darrin has demonstrated the ability to draw out the passion and talents of singers of all ages. Currently, Darrin teaches grades 1-5 general music, conducts the 4th & 5th grade chorus and directs, music directs and choreographs the spring musical at Cedar Lane Elementary School in the Appoquinimink School District.
From 1993 – 2023, Darrin served as an instructor, director, music director, choreographer, camp counselor, and orchestra conductor for the Young People’s Theatre Workshop (YPTW) in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. He directed and choreographed over 25 productions with YPTW including: Annie, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, State Fair, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Once on This Island, Hello, Dolly!, The Little Mermaid, as well as many others.
Darrin is very active in professional and community theatre. He has performed, directed, music directed and choreographed at The Media Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, Pocono Playhouse, The New Candlelight Theatre, Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, Celery Garden Dinner Theatre, Covered Bridge Theatre, Delaware Children’s Theatre, Wilmington Drama League, Chapel Street Players, Narberth Theatre, West Chester Players, The Barnstormers, Milburn Stone Theatre, Broadway Theatre of Pitman, and The Players Club of Swarthmore. One of his favorite production accomplishments was directing and choreographing The Producers in 2010 for the 100th season of The Players Club of Swarthmore.
Darrin is no newcomer to The Brandywiners, Ltd. as he has participated in the Chorale as well as participated in many summer shows at Longwood Gardens. As an artistic staff member, he served as Music Director for The Music Man in 2018 and Assistant Music Director for Evita in 2001, He also performed leading roles in Me and My Girl, State Fair, and Annie as well as ensemble in many other productions. He has sung with the Chorale for several years and served as its assistant director and is proud to be the director of this fine group of singers.
Our Accompanists
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.
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 more than 60 voices and that you have a recently tuned piano.
If your venue is not large enough to accommodate our group, we do also have a smaller group of 20 – 25 singers, called the NoteAbles. We can perform a program similar to that of the larger group, while tailoring it to a more intimate setting.
While we are a non-profit organization, we charge a fee to cover our expenses.
If you love to sing and can read music, come audition with us. We welcome new members. To learn more about what’s expected as a Chorale member, download our “Chorale Information Sheet.”
HOW TO REACH US
If you have interest in learning more about the Chorale or are interested in auditioning with us, please contact our Director, Darrin Peters. He can be reached at (302) 897-5751 or e-mail brandywinerschorale@gmail.com.
Would you like the Chorale to perform at your venue? Reach out to Laura Casalvera, Stage Manager at PCasalvera@Comcast.net