April 28, 2019 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus celebrates its 38th season with a “Dvořák and Jazz” concert on Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, at 3:00 at Second Congregational Church in Newcastle. The featured work for the concert is Antonín Dvořák exquisite Mass in D Major, Op. 86. Led by artistic director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, the concert will also feature several jazzy arrangements of hit tunes such as Cole Porter songs (“In The Still of the Night” and “Night and Day”), big-band-era favorites such as “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “One O’Clock Jump,” “Star Dust,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” a jaunty arrangement of “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home?” and more! Dvořák wrote his Mass in D in 1886 for his friend Josef Hlavka, later the founder and first president of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In that year Hlavka had a new chapel built at his summer residence, a castle in Luzany in Western Bohemia. When the chapel was to be consecrated the following year, he asked his friend Dvorak to write a new mass for the occasion. Dvořák’s mass was first performed for the consecration of that chapel. The first public performance of the mass was held at the Municipal Theatre in Plzen on 15 April 1888. The mass soon became extremely popular in England. A reviewer in the Musical Opinion of 1 December 1894 wrote this about Dvořák’s Mass in D: “Numbered among the important musical productions of the past month is Antonin Dvorak’s Communion Service in D (Op. 86), a work of remarkable power and effect and fully worthy of the great reputation of its composer. All now are ready to lend a hearing ear to whatever the Bohemian master may have to say; and, although conscious that the reader will have formed an unusually high opinion of the service, I cannot refrain from saying that we have here a setting of the Credo that is calculated to create a deep and lasting impression. This is truly a magnificent piece of music, such as can only be written at rare intervals even by a Dvorak.” As a special treat, the three high-school-student winners of the Sheepscot Chorus 2014 Student Music Awards will also be featured in solo performances at the concert. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased at Sherman’s Bookstore of Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. For more information, please visit our website at sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
December 8, 2019 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus celebrates its 39th season with a “Christmas Pops!” concert on Sunday, December 8, at 3:00 p.m., at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. Led by artistic director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, the concert will feature Felix Mendelssohn’s brilliant Magnificat setting, the Magnificat in D. The concert will also include several jazzy arrangements of hit tunes such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and more! The vocal talents of soprano Mary Sullivan, alto Jazmin DeRice, tenors Jesse Wakeman and David Myers, Jr., and bass John David Adams will be featured in solos, duets, and trios, and a jazz combo will accompany the chorus on several numbers. Written in 1822 when Mendelssohn was only 13, the Magnificat in D is in seven sections, with solo movements interspersed with ones for full chorus. The musicologist and critic Hans Keller used to say that Mendelssohn was even more phenomenal as a boy prodigy than Mozart, writing more impressive masterpieces while still in his teens. In 1822 Mendelssohn was set by his teacher Karl Zelter to write pieces in the style of compositional masters such as Bach, Mozart, and Haydn, and so the Magnificat is similar to Bach’s compositional style. The Bach influence is quite apparent in the exultant opening, in which orchestral passages are alternated with choral passages. For the last movement, an exciting Haydn-like fugue ends the piece on a triumphant note. The fabulous soprano Mary Sullivan will headline the second half of the concert. Sullivan will lend her inimitable talents to such pieces as “Gesù bambino,” “Maria Wiegenlied,” and the Roland Carter’s gospel hit “Mary Had a Baby.” The finale of the concert will be “Jingle Bells” as sung by Michael Bublé and The Puppini Sisters, accompanied by a combo including Marcus Hutchins, winds, Asher Barreras, bass, and Doug Kennedy, drums. In the spirit of Christmas giving, Sheepscot Chorus asks concert attendees to bring a canned or boxed food item and/or a monetary donation for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased at Sherman’s Bookstore in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
January 14, 2020 @ 7:00 pm The Sheepscot Valley Chorus is beginning preparation for an April performance of Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia (Earth Mass): A Mass in Celebration of Mother Earth.” All are welcome to join us for our first rehearsal, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 7:00 p.m., Congregational Church, Wiscasset. We’re a friendly group, working to perfect our craft as we enjoy the company of our fellow singers. Come join us! Our performance of “Missa Gaia” celebrates the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature a children’s choir, African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. Members of the Chorus welcome and encourage new singers to join us. Those wishing to participate may call director Linda Blanchard at 207-380-2768, or simply come to the first rehearsal.
April 18, 2020 @ 3:00 pm The Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins their 40th season with April 18 and 19 performances of Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia (Earth Mass): A Mass in Celebration of Mother Earth.” The Chorus’ performances of “Missa Gaia” celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature a children’s choir, African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. The concerts will be on Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 PM and Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 PM at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. The Chorus is directed by Linda Blanchard and accompanied by Sean Fleming. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased in April at Sherman’s Bookstore in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
April 19, 2020 @ 3:00 pm The Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins their 40th season with April 18 and 19 performances of Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia (Earth Mass): A Mass in Celebration of Mother Earth.” The Chorus’ performances of “Missa Gaia” celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature a children’s choir, African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. The concerts will be on Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 PM and Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 PM at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. The Chorus is directed by Linda Blanchard and accompanied by Sean Fleming. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased in April at Sherman’s Bookstore in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
April 24, 2021 @ 7:30 pm Sheepscot Chorus Presents Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia” Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins its 41st season with April 24 and 25 performances of Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia (Earth Mass): A Mass in Celebration of Mother Earth.” The Chorus’ performances of “Missa Gaia” celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature a children’s choir, African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. The concerts will be on Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 25 at 3:00 PM at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased in April at Sherman’s Bookstore in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
April 25, 2021 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Chorus Presents Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia” Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins its 41st season with April 24 and 25 performances of Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia (Earth Mass): A Mass in Celebration of Mother Earth.” The Chorus’ performances of “Missa Gaia” celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature a children’s choir, African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. The concerts will be on Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, April 25 at 3:00 PM at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased in April at Sherman’s Bookstore in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
December 5, 2021 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus celebrates its 41st season with a “Christmas Pops!” concert on Sunday, December 5, at 3:00 p.m., at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. Led by artistic director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, this ever-popular concert will feature the beautiful Saint-Saëns “Christmas Oratorio,” and include other fun holiday pieces. French composer and organist Camille Saint-Saëns is well known for “The Carnival of the Animals,” “Danse Macabre,” and the opera, “Samson and Delilah.” Saint-Saëns wrote the “Christmas Oratorio” at 23 years of age in 1858, completing it just ten days before its Christmas debut in Paris. The work’s intimate, lyrical setting of the Christmas story has made it a perennial audience favorite. The number of tickets available for this concert is very limited. Contact Sheepscot Chorus at https://www.facebook.com/sheepscotchorus to find out about any tickets available. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
February 1, 2022 @ 7:00 pm Sheepscot Chorus begins rehearsals on Tuesday, February 1 at 7:00 PM, at the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. Our featured work will be Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia,” with other fun pieces on the program. We hope you’ll join us! Our performance of “Missa Gaia” celebrates the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia,” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature a children’s choir, African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. Sheepscot Chorus is directed by husband-and-wife team Linda Blanchard and Sean Fleming of Damariscotta. In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, singers must show proof that they are vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 at the first rehearsal, and all must wear a N95, KN95, or KF94 mask while inside the church. Information about finding masks online can be found at sheepscotvalleychorus.org. A limited number of masks will be available at the first rehearsal, but please contact us to let us know you need one. For more information, please visit sheepscotvalleychorus.org and facebook.com/sheepscotchorus, email info@sheepscotvalleychorus.org, or call 207-380-2769. We look forward to seeing you, and please invite a friend or two!
April 30, 2022 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins its 41st season with April 30 and May 1 performances of Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia (Earth Mass): A Mass in Celebration of Mother Earth.” The Chorus’ performances of “Missa Gaia” celebrate the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. Written by Paul Winter in 1981, the work was dedicated to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. In “Missa Gaia” Winter created a work both ecumenical and ecological, embracing all the voices of the Earth. The piece will feature African percussion, bass, cello, guitar, organ, piano, oboe, and soprano sax, along with animal calls. The concerts will be on Saturday, April 30 at 3:00 PM and Sunday, May 1 at 3:00 PM at the Second Congregational Church of Newcastle. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for students, and may be purchased at Sherman’s Bookstore in Damariscotta, Treats in Wiscasset, and at the door. All Chorus members are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and will wear masks for the concerts. Audience members are encouraged to wear masks. For more information, please visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org. Sheepscot Valley Chorus is also delighted to announce the winners of our 2022 Student Music Awards, given annually to one student from each of the three local high schools. The students are selected by their high school music teachers, chosen for their commitment to and leadership in music. Award winners receive a stipend from the chorus and perform at the spring concerts. The 2022 Student Music Award winners are Evan Strong from Wiscasset High School, Emerson Harris from Boothbay Region High School, and Logan Heath from Lincoln Academy.