Westerly Chorus leader Kent to retire after half century

WESTERLY, R.I. — George Kent, charismatic organist and
conductor, is stepping down as head of the Chorus of Westerly, the
190-voice choir he founded more than a half-century ago.

Kent, a musical institution in the Westerly area, will retire at
the end of the next season, in June 2012.

A Westerly native raised in neighboring Pawcatuck, Conn., Kent
made the announcement at chorus’ annual meeting on Thursday, saying
it was time for “some young blood to step in and help things
continue forward.”

Kent founded the chorus in 1959 as a 21-year-old hoping to
provide opportunities for local residents, and in particular
children, to sing the world’s greatest choral music. Under his
leadership, the chorus has grown from a fledgling group of 50
singers to a respected ensemble of more than 190 voices that
presents an annual season of classical and pops programs, along
with the popular “Celebration of Twelfth Night,” which draws fans
from around New England.

The chorus under Kent, a music professor at URI, became the
first American choir to be invited to sing in London’s Westminster
Abbey, during one of three international tours. The group has also
sung in St. Peter’s in Rome.