About the hokc
The Heart of Kentucky Chorus (HOKC) is a mixed acappella vocal ensemble.
from Elizabethtown, Kentucky. (See the Schedule for time and location details.)
HOKC meets Thursday evenings to sing a diverse repertoire of songs from a variety of genres; including folk, classical, jazz, pop, and other styles. Nearly all music is arranged in an acappella setting (only voices...no instruments) with four or more individual vocal parts harmonizing together. Rehearsals prepare the group to perform for local events, and to present large shows for the public each year. Led by dedicated musical leaders, and a well-organized executive committee, the HOKC strives to uplift and serve the community, and to be an outlet for those seeking enrichment and fellowship through vocal music. For this reason, the group is always recruiting and welcoming new members.
The chorus has not always been a mixed ensemble. It was originally an all-male chorus. In the spring of 2003, there were several men from the Elizabethtown area who had been traveling to Bowling Green to sing with the Cavemen Chorus, a men's barbershop chorus. These men began to discuss the possibility of forming a barbershop chorus here in Elizabethtown.
In May, 2003, this group of men, along with a few other local men, began to rehearse every other Thursday night in the choir room at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, under the direction of Gary Dodge of Louisville. Gary directed until the fall of 2003, at which time Joe Galloway of Elizabethtown assumed the role.
In the fall of 2003, a quartet from the chorus performed for the Rotary Club in Elizabethtown. Dr. Debbie Borden of the Rotary Club suggested the name "Heart of Kentucky" for the chorus. After discussion at the next rehearsal, the chorus decided on the name "Heart of Kentucky Men's Chorus." The group struggled to maintain consistency in attendance and quality of singing until the decision was made to rehearse every Thursday night, beginning in January, 2004. Thereafter, things moved along very quickly. The first public performance of the chorus took place at Elizabethtown Baptist Church for a Valentine's Day event on February 12, 2004, with a chorus of 14 men.
Jon Nicholas, director of the Kentuckians barbershop chorus of Lexington, joined the chorus in the fall of 2008 as guest director, bringing with him his barbershop expertise, his delightful personality, and his wonderful barbershop style arrangements and original compositions. Jon joined us again in the spring of 2009, and continued as director until 2019. Several men acted as assistant directors for the group, including Allen Couch, Kent Back, and Bill Heady.
In 2023, the chorus voted to become a "mixed" vocal ensemble and opened up membership to women. After a simple name change, Aaron Dale became director of the newly reorganized "Heart of Kentucky Chorus" in February 2023.
From it's inception in 2003, the group has entertained tens of thousands of people during hundreds of performances. Through the joy of acappella and barbershop harmony, they have entertained and uplifted a wide variety of audiences in several different contexts, including:
Social and benevolent organizations
Church groups
Sporting events
Municipal celebrations
Retirement and nursing homes
School-related events
Government and political events
Military and public servant recognition
Weddings, anniversaries, Valentines day, and funerals
HKMC shows
Disaster relief efforts
And many others
We are always seeking new members. Please come visit us!
from Elizabethtown, Kentucky. (See the Schedule for time and location details.)
HOKC meets Thursday evenings to sing a diverse repertoire of songs from a variety of genres; including folk, classical, jazz, pop, and other styles. Nearly all music is arranged in an acappella setting (only voices...no instruments) with four or more individual vocal parts harmonizing together. Rehearsals prepare the group to perform for local events, and to present large shows for the public each year. Led by dedicated musical leaders, and a well-organized executive committee, the HOKC strives to uplift and serve the community, and to be an outlet for those seeking enrichment and fellowship through vocal music. For this reason, the group is always recruiting and welcoming new members.
The chorus has not always been a mixed ensemble. It was originally an all-male chorus. In the spring of 2003, there were several men from the Elizabethtown area who had been traveling to Bowling Green to sing with the Cavemen Chorus, a men's barbershop chorus. These men began to discuss the possibility of forming a barbershop chorus here in Elizabethtown.
In May, 2003, this group of men, along with a few other local men, began to rehearse every other Thursday night in the choir room at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, under the direction of Gary Dodge of Louisville. Gary directed until the fall of 2003, at which time Joe Galloway of Elizabethtown assumed the role.
In the fall of 2003, a quartet from the chorus performed for the Rotary Club in Elizabethtown. Dr. Debbie Borden of the Rotary Club suggested the name "Heart of Kentucky" for the chorus. After discussion at the next rehearsal, the chorus decided on the name "Heart of Kentucky Men's Chorus." The group struggled to maintain consistency in attendance and quality of singing until the decision was made to rehearse every Thursday night, beginning in January, 2004. Thereafter, things moved along very quickly. The first public performance of the chorus took place at Elizabethtown Baptist Church for a Valentine's Day event on February 12, 2004, with a chorus of 14 men.
Jon Nicholas, director of the Kentuckians barbershop chorus of Lexington, joined the chorus in the fall of 2008 as guest director, bringing with him his barbershop expertise, his delightful personality, and his wonderful barbershop style arrangements and original compositions. Jon joined us again in the spring of 2009, and continued as director until 2019. Several men acted as assistant directors for the group, including Allen Couch, Kent Back, and Bill Heady.
In 2023, the chorus voted to become a "mixed" vocal ensemble and opened up membership to women. After a simple name change, Aaron Dale became director of the newly reorganized "Heart of Kentucky Chorus" in February 2023.
From it's inception in 2003, the group has entertained tens of thousands of people during hundreds of performances. Through the joy of acappella and barbershop harmony, they have entertained and uplifted a wide variety of audiences in several different contexts, including:
Social and benevolent organizations
Church groups
Sporting events
Municipal celebrations
Retirement and nursing homes
School-related events
Government and political events
Military and public servant recognition
Weddings, anniversaries, Valentines day, and funerals
HKMC shows
Disaster relief efforts
And many others
We are always seeking new members. Please come visit us!