SALEM — After 54 years as its director, L. Paul Madore has retired from The Paul Madore Chorale. But his chorale will sing on; Madore will be succeeded by Rene Minalga-Rheault.
The Chorale-hosted “Summer Sings” will be Aug. 12, 7:45 p.m., in Old Town Hall, 12 Derby Square.
In addition to directing the Chorale, Madore’s many lifelong pursuits include conducting, teaching, singing, sailing, traveling and cooking. By age 7, he was bilingual in English and French, and could read music as easily as words.
“My intent to become a concert pianist was thwarted by this reading skill, which meant that reading a rather difficult piece, such as Schumann’s Piano Concerto, became boring to me long before I had it memorized,” said Madore, who also sang in a boys choir where he “could even hit a high C” (he is now a bass) and sing Gregorian chant.
Madore earned a bachelor’s degree at Boston College, and, after two years as a teaching assistant, earned a master’s degree and enjoyed a career in teaching, including 27 years at Salem State College. In 1964, he created The Paul Madore Chorale.
Additionally, he had created study-abroad programs at Salem State and, while in France, met “music people” at the University of Caen in Normandy. This, in turn, led to tours and performances in France with the Chorale.
