Andover Choral Society To Hold Second Open Rehearsal Next Week

ANDOVER, MA —The Andover Choral Society began its 93rd season on Monday with the first of two open rehearsals of "Ein Deutsches Requiem" by Johannes Brahms.

The event also marked an introduction of sorts for Matthew Buono, who was selected late last month as the group's new music director.

A second open rehearsal is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Christ Church, located at 33 Central Street. All voice parts are welcome, though masks and proof of a COVID vaccine are required, according to the group.

Buono was selected as the new music director by the Andover Choral Society Board of Directors. He is just the fifth music director since the group began in 1929.

"I'm looking forward to working with this talented and dedicated group of singers as we prepare to bring outstanding choral music to the Merrimack Valley," Buono said at the time of his selection.

According to the choral society, Buono is a bass-baritone who is a member of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, which has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops.

Additionally, Buono has performed with the Metropolitan Chorale in Brookline, the Illuminati Vocal Ensemble in South Hadley and the Vellichor Ensemble in Worcester.

Currently, Buono serves as an elementary music specialist in Chelmsford Public Schools and he also has directed choruses in the North Middlesex Regional School District and Douglas Public Schools.

Buono holds a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a master's of music education from Gordon College. He also is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Massachusetts Music Educators Association.