About | Albany Chorale

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About Us

Board of Directors

President: Melody Clay Sheffield

President-Elect:

Treasurer: Alicia Jackson

Secretary: Rose Palazzolo

Past President: Brent Goldsmith

From the desk of the president:

Welcome to the Albany Chorale! We proudly invite anyone aged 16 and older from the Southwest Georgia community to join us. For over 90 years, we have been a cornerstone entertainment and education, sharing the joy of singing through our free concerts. No need to be a music professional; many of our members embrace this as a valuable learning experience. If you have a passion ensemble singing, join us at Covenant Presbyterian Church for rehearsals on Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30. And if singing isn’t your thing, you can still play a vital role in supporting our incredible group. Explore our website to find out how you can be part of The Albany Chorale.

Melody Clay Sheffield, President

Artistic Director

Cody Cone

Artistic Director Dakota (Cody) Cone of Moultrie, Georgia, is in his fifth year of choral directing in the public schools. Under his direction, his ensembles have consistently scored Superiors at various musical festivals. His students are regularly selected for the Georgia Music Educators Association All-State. A classically singer, Cody has sung under the baton of noted conductors and clinicians such as Dr. Karen Brunson and Dr. Amanda Quist. Outside of the choral realm, Cody enjoys the theatrical arts and is an avid lover of musical theater. He has music directed several productions, including shows such as Newsies, Godspell, Singing in the Rain, Pippin, and The Fantasticks. He is excited to continue this new journey as the Artistic Director of the Albany Chorale and looks forward to a wonderful 2025-2026 season!

Accompanist

Meri Beth Hillard

Meri Beth was born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She began her piano studies at an early age and studied music at both the University of New Mexico and Calvin College. Currently, she is active as a teacher, performer, and church musician. As music/youth assistant at First United Methodist Church in Albany, she directs the youth choir, and assists in worship services. She accompanied music majors as well as the college choir at Darton State College for twenty years and has operated a private piano studio as well. She has accompanied the Albany Chorale for over 20 years. Meri Beth lives in Albany with her husband, Dr. Claire Fox Hillard, they have three children: Jessica (and husband, Tim Morris), Kelsey (and husband, Blake Davis), and C.J. (and wife, Ann Marie); two granddaughters and six grandsons.