History
From our 10th Anniversary Concert, May 1959:
Huntington Men's Chorus
1949-1959
Music is a heritage in Huntington. From colonial days to the space age, Huntingtonians have actively participated in and patronized community musical activities.
The year was 1949. Life was again returning to normalcy after World War II. A number of local men who had sung in college glee clubs, church choirs, and other vocal groups felt the need for an organized male chorus. "Jim" Doty, for many years associated with the music department of the Huntington schools, became the guiding light. About twenty three prospects attended the first rehearsal ... and the Huntington Men's Chorus became a reality.
By 1951 there were more than forty singing members plus a sizeable associate group. That same year "Ladi" Helfenbein became conductor and "Dave" Smith accompanist. That year also marked the first appearance of a guest soloist in concert with the Chorus. In succeeding years the Chorus has presented, in addition to Mary Hixon, the Club's first guest artist, such fine vocal artists as Irene Jordan, Angeline Collins, Sarah Fleming, Suzanne Der Derian and Mariquita Moll. Among instrumental soloists appearing with the Chorus have been Verlye Mills Brillhart and Lois Bannerman, harpists and Lilian Kallir, pianist.
In 1955 the Chorus embarked upon a program of providing electronic organs for the community's two new high schools: Walt Whitman and Huntington High School. The first of these organs was dedicated during the Spring Concert at Walt Whitman High School in 1956. It is with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that this project is brought to culmination with the presentation of the Allen organ this evening to the new Huntington High School.
As we look to the years ahead, we sincerely hope that the enthusiasm which has been characteristic of Huntington Men's Chorus and of its audiences will remain at the same high level. We hope that the Huntington Men's Chorus will be an important part of the musical heritage of our community.
An article in the Long Islander April 16th, 1966:
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