CHOIR
Cultivating wellness through singing
Soundwaves Chorale
Join a vibrant community of singers!
Soundwaves Chorale is an inclusive community choir welcoming individuals aged 16 and above from all backgrounds and skill levels. Experience the transformative power of music through collaborative rehearsals, engaging performances, and active community outreach.
2024 Season
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Spring Semester: All Things Can Sing
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Fall Semester: Christmas at the Movies
ABOUT
Meet Ben
Benjamin Swanson is a dynamic tenor vocalist, choral conductor, and music educator dedicated to fostering conscious, supportive, and inclusive musical cultures. As the Artistic Director of Soundwaves Chorale, Director of Music at Colonial Beach Baptist Church, and Chorus Teacher at Westmoreland High School, Ben finds joy in nurturing the musical talents of people of all ages.
Ben has participated in masterclasses and studied with Grammy Award-winning Canadian baritone Kevin McMillan and renowned vocalists Brenda Witmer, Daniel Ihasz, and Joe Dan Harper. He has also participated in coaching workshops with original cast members Keith Buterbaugh and Jan Horvath of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera. Ben studied and performed choral music under the batons of Dr. Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy and Dr. Gerald Gray, and he has graced the stage with choirs alongside Tenebrae, The King's Singers, Garrison Keillor, and Grammy-nominated recording artist Josh Groban during his 2015 North American Tour.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre and Music Education from James Madison University and is dedicated to empowering others to harness their own voices. This is embodied in his mantra, "Everyone can sing." Having experienced profound love, beauty, and transcendence through singing, Ben is committed to helping others achieve similar transformative experiences.
EVENTS
Upcoming Events
Sat, Dec 07Unitarian Universalist FellowshipDec 07, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMUnitarian Universalist Fellowship, 25 Chalice Circle, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, USADec 07, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMUnitarian Universalist Fellowship, 25 Chalice Circle, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, USAExperience the joy of the holidays with Soundwaves Chorale! Delight in timeless melodies from beloved holiday films like 'Home Alone,' 'The Polar Express,' and 'Christmas Vacation.' This family-friendly concert promises holiday magic for all. Early bird prices available through October 6th!
Sun, Dec 08Colonial Beach Baptist ChurchDec 08, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMColonial Beach Baptist Church, 10 Garfield Ave, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USADec 08, 2024, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PMColonial Beach Baptist Church, 10 Garfield Ave, Colonial Beach, VA 22443, USAExperience the joy of the holidays with Soundwaves Chorale! Delight in timeless melodies from beloved holiday films like 'Home Alone,' 'The Polar Express,' and 'Christmas Vacation.' This family-friendly concert promises holiday magic for all. *Livestream link for this performance included w/ ticket.
TESTIMONIALS
What people are saying
"Ben is a beautiful performer . . . [who] captures the emotions of the lyrics and the notes, and you can feel how the composer wants you to feel through [his] performance."
Heather Trivett
"We are so grateful to Ben for his dedication to our daughter's musical education and success."
Nathan & Joanne Howell
"It was an amazing process to see how one man, Ben, could take a group of people and teach them to make such beautiful music together. I was coming out of a dark time in my life, realizing that I now had my own life to live . . . it gave me purpose."
Donna Shelar