History

50 Years of Making Music

50 Years

of Making Music

A HISTORY OF THE NOVI CHORALAIRES

In the fall of 1975, a group of men and women from the Novi area formed the Novi Choralaires. It brought together singers who wanted to sing music for fun, to keep their memories sharp and meet other singers who had an interest in a wide variety of more difficult music. The Novi Choralaires began performing for church functions, at nursing homes in the area, for service clubs and special events held by the City of Novi and Novi Public Schools.

In 1977, Janet Wassilak became the director of the group and Stacey Becker, a singer in the group, became the accompanist. Since that first year, the Choralaires have been led by 5 accomplished directors and 4 talented accompanists. Currently, Aidan Rickel serves as the artistic director and Trenda Baldridge serves as the accompanist.

The Novi Choralaires rehearse each Tuesday from September to May at Novi Middle School. Holiday concerts are also held each December in area churches. Over the years, the Choralaires have participated in several joint concerts with the Novi Concert Band. At the original Tim Pope Memorial Playstructure, located within the Community Sports Park, the chimes were donated by the Novi Choralaires and members of the group worked during the weekend build of the structure. The Novi Choralaires were a part of the Prayer service after 9/11.

As the Novi Choralaires complete their 50th year as Novi’s community chorus, they are always welcoming new members who want to sing with people who enjoy singing for the community.

Our Story

Over the Years

1975

The Beginning

Novi Choralaires was founded by a small group of music enthusiasts dedicated to bringing quality choral music to the community. Our first rehearsal brought together 15 singers with a shared passion for vocal music. Under the direction of our founding music director, we held our first public performance at the Novi Community Center, marking the beginning of what would become a cherished local tradition.

1980

Growth and Recognition

By 1980, our membership had grown to over 30 singers, and we began performing regularly at local venues. Our annual holiday concert became a beloved community tradition. This period also saw us expand our repertoire beyond traditional choral works to include contemporary pieces and world music.

1985

First Major Concert Series

Our first full-length concert series established the choir as a premier vocal ensemble in the region. We performed at the Novi Civic Center to sold-out audiences, presenting ambitious programs that challenged our singers and delighted our patrons.

2000

25th Anniversary Celebration

We celebrated a quarter century of musical excellence with a special anniversary concert featuring alumni singers from throughout our history. The concert showcased how our sound and repertoire had evolved while maintaining our commitment to excellence. This milestone year also saw the establishment of our scholarship fund to support music education in local schools.

2015

Expanded Community Outreach

We launched comprehensive community outreach programs, bringing music to schools, senior centers, and special events throughout Michigan. These programs allowed us to share our passion for choral music with audiences who might not otherwise experience live vocal performances. Our membership reached 50+ active singers, representing one of the largest periods of growth in our history.

2020

Adapting Through Challenge

Like many performing arts organizations, we faced unprecedented challenges. Our resilience and creativity shone through as we found new ways to connect with our community, including virtual performances and socially-distanced outdoor concerts. This period strengthened our bonds as an ensemble and deepened our appreciation for the power of music to unite people even in difficult times.

2025

50th Anniversary

We celebrated 50 years of choral excellence with a gala concert bringing together current members, alumni, and special guests. This milestone year has been a time of reflection on our rich history and excitement about the future. As we look ahead, we remain committed to our founding mission: bringing people together through the transformative power of choral music.