Don Brown is thankful for his 50 years with GSCS, and the feeling's mutual

Don Brown studies music for Handel's Messiah in his cosy apartment off Eastern Avenue. earlier this month

ROCHESTER - The Granite State Choral Society and Don Brown of Rochester embarked on 50-year joyful odyssey back in 1974, and they're not done yet.
The GSCS, a nonaudtitioned 40-piece chorus, will play two Christmas concerts in the next week or two, both that will have selections from Handell's Messiah.
"I really like doing Handel's Messiah," Brown said. "The chorus will be accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra," he says proudly,
While Brown loves singing with the GSCS, he's not too keen on solos.
"Oh, no," he grimaces, "That's not for me."
"Oh, but he's very dedicated," says GSCS Publicity Manager Laura Jackson. "He's there for every concert, every practice."
"And with a chorus like this we have some come for a couple of years, then then move on, but Don is very loyal," she added.

"In the fall of 1974, the Rev. Reverend Frank Gulinello told the music director Sylvia Dowst, at the United Methodist Church in Rochester, that he dreamed of a community chorus from Rochester and surrounding communities to sing Handel's Messiah, according to the GSCS website. "On Dec. 15, 1974, they saw their dream realized as the then 64-member Rochester Area Community Chorus presented a single performance of the Christmas portion before a packed house under the direction of Dowst.
During his 50-years with GSCS, Brown is most proud of trips abroad with the chorus to England, China, Vietnam, Africa and, Korea.
"It's been very, very rewarding," he said.
The two upcoming Christmas concerts will be Dec, 7 at 7:30 p.m. at First Church Congregational at 63 South Main St., Rochester, and the Dec. 8 concert will be at 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church at 34 South Main St. in Rochester.
To purchase tickets for either show click here.