Our Story
The Charles River Chorale's roots go back to the country's Bicentennial. The group was formed in 1975 to begin rehearsals for the 1976 Bicentennial celebration. As part of that celebration, members traveled to Washington D.C. to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building. The group also journeyed to the Big E and sang as part of that celebration.
The group re-formed in 1985 as the Millis Centennial Chorus to celebrate Millis' 100th anniversary. At this time the group was able to convince Roy Kelley to remain as the director, and the Millis Community Chorale was incorporated in December 1985. The Chorale performed winter and spring concerts in the Millis High School auditorium with additional concerts at community events.
As the Chorale's membership expanded, singers were drawn from nearby towns. In 1999 the Millis Community Choir was renamed the Charles River Chorale to include and acknowledge all participating members.
The Chorale has performed with the Greater Marlboro Symphony Orchestra and the Claflin Hill Symphony, and has participated in community chorus festivals and civic occasions including Millis Memorial Day celebrations, Tree Lighting ceremonies, Medway Pride Day, and other community events.
The Chorale has also supported community outreach through scholarship programs and the Charles River Children's Choir, sponsored through the Millis Park and Recreation Department.
In 2015, Roy Kelley stepped down as Director and Ashley Nelson-Oneschuk was brought on as the new director of the Charles River Chorale, introducing the Chorale to new music and training while helping grow its presence in the community.
Roy Kelley
Founder & Director Emeritus
Founder
Roy Kelley
Roy S. Kelley was Founder and Artistic Director of the Charles River Chorale, which was formed in 1985 to celebrate Millis' Centennial. Membership was comprised of singers from several towns in the Charles River area.
Roy was made Director Emeritus of the Charles River Chorale and was announced at the 30th Annual Spring Concert on May 2, 2015.
A graduate of the University of Vermont in 1961, Roy served the educational field as a music specialist for 31 years: six years in Vermont and then 25 years as Director of Choral Activities with the Brookline, Massachusetts school system. His choral groups entertained many civic and religious organizations in the Boston area, with appearances at Symphony Hall in Boston, Washington D.C., and a tour of the British Isles.
Roy was also active in Orff-Schulwerk education, choral conducting, church music, and community chorus leadership. He served as an organist and choirmaster for several denominations in Vermont and Massachusetts and became Director of the Snug Harbor Community Chorus in 2001.
Roy passed away in early 2023 in Vermont and is survived by his wife, Jeanine, and their children.