MISSION
The Family Folk Chorale seeks to inspire community, compassion and discovery through music made together by families of all ages (3-80) performing meaningful, uplifting songs and creating a powerful connection between audience, singers, band and songwriters.
HISTORY
We are a multi-generational group of more than 60 singers of all ages and a band comprised of some of Boston's most versatile musicians.
The Family Folk Chorale was founded in 1999 with the belief that everyone can sing and that people of all ages singing together is powerful music.
Skillful and sensitive arrangements by director Chris Eastburn provide opportunities to hear individual voices in solo and small groups as well as harmonically rich, full group refrains. Membership includes whole families as well as individuals
and is not audition-based.
COMMUNITY
Most importantly, the Family Folk Chorale is committed to the principle that "everyone can sing," and to that end the entire audience is encouraged to sing along through much of our concerts. As the stage is filled with moms, dads, singles, seniors, and kids, audience members easily identify with those leading the singing, become active in their listening/singing experience, and the line between audience and performer is blurred and all ages participate together. Our folk music traditions become joyfully and easily integrated into the fabric of the family and community, supporting and enriching our daily lives together.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
CHRIS EASTBURN
In addition to directing the Family Folk Chorale, Chris Eastburn is an arranger, orchestrator and award-winning composer. His music has been performed to acclaim from New York's Carnegie Hall to the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Recent commissions include a ballet score for Island Moving Co. called Newport Stories, a string orchestra and chorus score for the theatre production Moses Brown and the Voyage of the Slave Ship Sally and a score for Caitlin Corbett Dance Co. called Tom's Wealth. Chris's string quartet/vocal quartet score Consent to Gravity choreographed by Daniel McCusker was hailed as "one of the most successful new musical works for dance I've heard in ages" by Debra Cash, dance critic for NPR's Here and Now. His arrangement and orchestration of "Jazzy Old St. Nick, a hip swing version of a Christmas favorite" is now available from the Hal Leonard choral music catalog. As a choral director and song leader Chris enjoys working with people of all ages and walks of life.