Revels Singers is a non-auditioned community chorus open to everyone who loves to sing. The mission of Revels Singers is to engage people through singing, explore choral repertoire from around the world, hone musical skills, and build community through harmony.
Revels Singers sings a broad spectrum of choral music drawn mostly from five decades of Revels performances. Energetic rehearsals challenge the seasoned choral singer as well as those with less experience. Repertoire includes Renaissance motets, contemporary anthems, American “shape-note” hymns, spirituals, carols, rounds, and arrangements of folk songs from around the world. In honor of Patrick “Paddy” Swanson’s 34 years as Artistic Director of Revels, the Spring 2024 session will be themed “Paddy’s Favorites,” featuring several classic Revels songs from Paddy’s tenure at Revels.
The chorus is open to anyone who loves to sing choral music, with no audition necessary. You will nonetheless be held to high choral standards and expected to learn your music. We work hard, have a lot of fun, and come away from each rehearsal feeling uplifted and energized! Online audio support materials will be included.
Bring a Friend to Revels Singers! Are you a returning member of Revels Singers? Encourage a new singer to join Revels Singers and both of you will receive 10% off this session’s registration fee with the code FRIEND10.*
*Both you and your referral must fill in each other’s names on the registration form to be eligible for this discount. In order to qualify, your referral cannot have participated in Revels Singers prior to this session.
Revels Singers Spring 2024 Season
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, February 28 – May 1, 7:00 – 8:30 PM (no rehearsal on April 3)
Revels Singers Showcase: Wednesday, May 8, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Participation Fees: $100/Singer*
*If the rehearsal fees present significant financial hardship, please reach out to Sydney Roslin at sroslin@revels.org
NEW LOCATION!
First Parish of Watertown Unitarian Universalist Church
35 Church Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Revels Singers rehearsals will be held in person for the 2024 season.*
*If you are concerned about your health and would like to join us virtually, you are welcome to do so. However, with the limitations of our new space, we cannot guarantee consistent technological quality. Please email sroslin@revels.org to learn more about this option.
All in-person Revels Singers participants are subject to Revels’ COVID vaccine and testing protocols. Participants are required to be fully vaccinated. Masks are not required for rehearsals, but singers can wear them if they choose to do so. Revels’ COVID protocols are subject to change based on evolving public health conditions.
The success of every Revels Singers rehearsal relies on the full participation of its members. We require consistent attendance and timeliness from Revels Singers to make the choral experience beneficial for all and to allow you to get the most out of your rehearsal experience. The absence of any member of the group makes the music-learning process more difficult for the remaining singers.
In general, we ask that singers who commit to the ensemble commit to attend every rehearsal. We can accommodate up to 2 absences throughout the Spring 2024 session, and we ask that you let us know as far in advance about your absences as possible. In the case of extenuating circumstances, please reach out to Elijah Botkin, Revels Music Director, at ebotkin@revels.org.
Printed music is provided to each singer. Each singer keeps their own personal binder of music, and digital sheet music is available as well. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Elijah for assistance.
Revels Music Director
Elijah Botkin graduated from Northeastern University in 2015 with bachelor’s degrees in Music History & Analysis and Mathematics. During his time at Northeastern, Elijah founded and directed the Northeastern Madrigal Singers; was President, Bass Section Leader, and Assistant Director for the NU Choral Society; and sang with and arranged for the award-winning a cappella group Distilled Harmony. In 2015, Elijah won the award for Outstanding Arrangement for his arrangement of Distilled Harmony’s quarterfinal-winning set in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. In the same year, his arrangement of “Nothing Feels Like You” by Little Mix also won a CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award) for Best Mixed Collegiate Song. In 2014, Elijah was granted the Gideon Klein Award in order to write his composition The Closed Town, which was premiered by the Northeastern University Chamber Choir in April 2015. Currently, Elijah continues to direct the NU Madrigals and serves on the Board of Trustees for Chorus pro Musica. He also sings with the Boston-based chamber choir Carduus and serves as their Treasurer and Business Manager.
with Revels.