April 30, 2017 @ 4:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus Performs the Forrest Requiem for the Living and Ellington favorites The Sheepscot Valley Chorus will perform Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living and Ellingtonia, a medley of songs by “Duke” Ellington, on April 29 at 4:00 and April 30 at 4:00, at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle. Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest, composed in 2013, is scored for mixed choir and orchestra with solos for boy soprano and tenor. Combining both liturgical and non-liturgical texts, this powerful five-movement work projects a wide range of meaningful expression, from a biting essay on the vanity and pain of mankind to a plea for mercy, and finally a celebration of eternal light. The work has received more than a hundred performances world-wide within a year of its composition, including performances in Canada, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and multiple performances at Carnegie Hall. Ellingtonia features many “Duke” Ellington favorites, including: Azure Caravan Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me Don’t Get Around Much Anymore I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart I’m Beginning to See the Light I’m Just A Lucky So And So In A Sentimental Mood It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it ain’t got That Swing) Love You Madly Mood Indigo Satin Doll Solitude Sophisticated Lady Prelude To A Kiss Take The ‘A’ Train Last fall the SVC collaborated with the beloved Coastal Chorale, which had formally ended its over twenty-year run. The SVC gained former Coastal Chorale singers and expanded its audience to include Chorale fans from the Pemaquid Peninsula.
September 12, 2017 @ 6:30 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus Welcomes New Singers The Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins their 37th season with a potluck supper at 7:00 PM with a rehearsal following, on Tuesday, September 12 at the Wiscasset Congregational Church on Route 1. With a long history of community music making, the Chorus welcomes and encourages new singers to join us. Singers wishing to participate may call director Linda Blanchard at 207-380-2768, or simply come to the first rehearsal, voice at the ready. The major work this fall John Rutter’s stirring “Gloria” for mixed voices with brass, percussion and organ. John Rutter was born in England in 1945. He studied at Cambridge, and in 1981 he established the Cambridge Singers. In 1974, Rutter visited the United States at the invitation of choral musician Melvin “Mel” Olson and conducted the premiere of his cantata “Gloria” in Omaha, NB. The second half of the concert will have a mixture of classical works and lighter holiday fare, including traditional carols sung by the chorus and audience accompanied by brass and organ. Sheepscot Valley Chorus is directed by Linda Blanchard and accompanied by Sean Fleming, both of Damariscotta. The Chorus will perform their concert Sunday, December 3 at 3:00 p.m. in at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. Please join us!
December 3, 2017 @ 3:00 pm Rutter Gloria and Brass Ensemble Highlight Sheepscot Dec. 3 Christmas Concert Sheepscot Valley Chorus will perform their Christmas concert Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 3:00 PM, at Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. Featured on this ever-popular program will be the beautiful and stirring ”Gloria” of John Rutter, perfomed with a professional brass ensemble, organ, and percussion. Also featured on the concert will be ”Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” by Gustav Holst, ”Hodie Christus Natus Est” for chorus and brass by Renaissance composer Giovanni Gabrieli, and ”The Many Moods of Christmas Suite Four” by choral music legend Robert Shaw and arranger extraordinaire Robert Russell Bennett. John Rutter noted Francis Poulenc, Igor Stravinsky and William Walton as influences for his ”Gloria” setting. Rutter also noted the influence of Gregorian chant throughout the work. A reviewer noted as Rutter’s hallmarks: “an unfailing knack to get to the root of the text, exquisitely balanced vocal writing, melting harmonies, intensely sweet turns of phrase, short ecstatic climaxes, but also a willingness to be astringent, and rhythmically powerful.” Another reviewer attributed the lasting success of Rutter’s music to the fact that he “writes music that people want to perform and to hear”, and that it is interesting and challenging for performers. The combination of brass and percussion coupled with pipe organ is one not to be missed. Christmas favorites such as ”Sleigh Ride” will also be sung. Sheepscot Chorus is lead by director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, both of Damariscotta. Advance tickets may be purchased at Maine Coast Book Shop, Sherman’s Books, and Treats. Tickets are $15 at the door, and free to students. For more information, please visit our website at sheepscotvalleychorus.org, or call Marjorie DiVece at 207-882-6338.
January 16, 2018 @ 7:00 pm On May 5 and 6, Sheepscot Valley Chorus and St. Cecilia Chamber Choir will present Handel’s “Israel in Egypt” with a professional orchestra. One of the world’s favorite choral treasures, “Israel in Egypt” showcases Handel’s genius for storytelling and drama. The powerful, chorus-laden oratorio vividly portrays the biblical stories in the Books of Exodus and Psalms, from the plagues of flies, frogs and hailstones, to Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. Sheepscot Chorus will begin rehearsing this thrilling musical work on Tuesday, January 16 at 7:00pm at the First Congregational Church Wiscasset UCC, 28 High Street in Wiscasset, Maine. All are encouraged to attend this first rehearsal and to sing sections of “Israel in Egypt,” under the inspired leadership of artistic director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming. Delicious snacks will be provided. Since 1980 Sheepscot Valley Chorus has been a thriving non-auditioned community chorus which presents varied programs of classical and popular music. Every few years the Chorus joins with the auditioned St. Cecilia Chamber Choir to present large choral works. These works have recently included Brahms’ “German Requiem” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” For more information, please visit sheepscotvalleychorus.org or call Linda Blanchard at 207-380-2768.
May 5, 2018 @ 4:00 pm On May 5 at 4:00 PM and May 6 at 4:00 PM, Sheepscot Valley Chorus and St. Cecilia Chamber Choir will present Handel’s brilliant choral work “Israel in Egypt” at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, Maine. One of the world’s favorite choral treasures, “Israel in Egypt” showcases Handel’s genius for storytelling and drama. The powerful chorus-laden oratorio vividly portrays the biblical stories in the Books of Exodus and Psalms, from the plagues of flies, frogs and hailstones, to Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. Gathered under the baton of Artistic Director Linda Blanchard, the large combined group will be accompanied by a twenty-five piece professional orchestra and five outstanding soloists for this magnificent work – second only in popularity to Handel’s “Messiah.” “Israel in Egypt” is deemed by many to be one of the most spectacular large-scale choral works ever composed. It demands technical brilliance in every aspect: from the precision required of the soloists in several arias, to the magnitude of skill and cooperation from the orchestra, as well as the volume of voices to bring the choruses to full and powerful fruition. “Israel in Egypt” was originally performed in 1739, and at first failed to garner an enthusiastic response. It was not until the 19th century, when choral societies and amateur music festivals began to flourish in England, that “Israel in Egypt” attained the level of popularity it has today. Performing will be the extraordinary soloists Mary Sullivan, soprano, Joëlle Morris, mezzo-soprano, Timothy Neill Johnson, tenor, and basses Josh Miller and Dominique Rosoff, who will perform the bass duet “The Lord Is A Man Of War.” Don’t miss these exciting concerts. Buy your tickets now easily at ceciliachoir.org/tickets, and soon at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, and Treats in Wiscasset. For more information, please visit ceciliachoir.org, sheepscotvalleychorus.org, or call Del Merritt at 781-436-0335.
May 6, 2018 @ 4:00 pm On May 5 at 4:00 PM and May 6 at 4:00 PM, Sheepscot Valley Chorus and St. Cecilia Chamber Choir will present Handel’s brilliant choral work “Israel in Egypt” at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle, Maine. One of the world’s favorite choral treasures, “Israel in Egypt” showcases Handel’s genius for storytelling and drama. The powerful chorus-laden oratorio vividly portrays the biblical stories in the Books of Exodus and Psalms, from the plagues of flies, frogs and hailstones, to Moses’ parting of the Red Sea. Gathered under the baton of Artistic Director Linda Blanchard, the large combined group will be accompanied by a twenty-five piece professional orchestra and five outstanding soloists for this magnificent work – second only in popularity to Handel’s “Messiah.” “Israel in Egypt” is deemed by many to be one of the most spectacular large-scale choral works ever composed. It demands technical brilliance in every aspect: from the precision required of the soloists in several arias, to the magnitude of skill and cooperation from the orchestra, as well as the volume of voices to bring the choruses to full and powerful fruition. “Israel in Egypt” was originally performed in 1739, and at first failed to garner an enthusiastic response. It was not until the 19th century, when choral societies and amateur music festivals began to flourish in England, that “Israel in Egypt” attained the level of popularity it has today. Performing will be the extraordinary soloists Mary Sullivan, soprano, Joëlle Morris, mezzo-soprano, Timothy Neill Johnson, tenor, and basses Josh Miller and Dominique Rosoff, who will perform the bass duet “The Lord Is A Man Of War.” Don’t miss these exciting concerts. Buy your tickets now easily at ceciliachoir.org/tickets, and soon at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, and Treats in Wiscasset. For more information, please visit ceciliachoir.org, sheepscotvalleychorus.org, or call Del Merritt at 781-436-0335.
September 11, 2018 @ 6:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus Welcomes New Singers The Sheepscot Valley Chorus begins their 38th season with a potluck supper at 6:00 PM with a rehearsal at 7:00 PM, on Tuesday, September 11 at the Wiscasset Congregational Church on Route 1. With a long history of community music making, members of the Chorus welcome and encourage new singers to join us. Singers wishing to participate may call director Linda Blanchard at 207-380-2768, or simply come to the first rehearsal. The major work for Sheepscot Chorus this fall will be Hubert Parry’s stirring and intricate “Magnificat in F” for mixed voices and soprano soloist. Dedicated to Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee, the Magnificat is in five sections with an emphasis on counterpoint, as well as other Baroque devices, and takes its cue from Bach’s own Magnificat (BWV 243). This is quite apparent in the exultant opening, while the third part, “Et misericordia,” is a choral meditation with a moving violin obbligato, and one of Parry’s loveliest moments. The finale ends with an exciting fugue and cyclic reminder of the work’s opening measures. The December concert will also feature a mixture of classical works and lighter holiday fare, including the Leroy Anderson Christmas carol extravaganza “A Christmas Festival” which was played for many years by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. Sheepscot Valley Chorus is directed by Linda Blanchard and accompanied by Sean Fleming, both of Damariscotta. The Chorus will perform their concert Sunday, December 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.
December 2, 2018 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus celebrates its 38th season with a “Christmas Pops!” concert on Sunday, December 2, at 3:00 p.m., at Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. The featured work for the concert is Hubert Parry’s great Magnificat setting, the Magnificat in F. Led by artistic director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, the concert will also feature several jazzy arrangements of hit tunes such as “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Little Jack Frost Get Lost,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and more! The vocal talents of soprano Danielle Vayenas and bass Nick Azzaretti will be featured in solos and duets, along with multi-instrumentalist Marcus Hutchins. Written in 1897 and dedicated to Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee, Parry’s Magnificat in F is in five sections with an emphasis on counterpoint, as well as other Baroque devices, and takes its cue from J.S. Bach’s Magnificat (BWV 243). This is quite apparent in the exultant opening, while the third part, “Et misericordia,” is a choral meditation with a moving obbligato, and one of Parry’s loveliest moments. The finale ends with an exciting fugue. Some familiar and not-so-familiar arrangements of Christmas songs will be sung, including a jazz-choir style version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” the Vince Guaraldi favorite “Christmas Time Is Here,” and a fun women-only arrangement of “Here Comes Santa Claus” based on the popular Glee version. In the spirit of Christmas giving Sheepscot Chorus asks concert attendees to bring a canned or boxed food item for the Boothbay Region Food Pantry and/or a monetary donation to either the food pantry, the Community Energy Fund of Lincoln Country, or the Twin Villages Food Bank Farm. 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.
January 29, 2019 @ 7:00 pm Sheepscot Chorus rehearsals have resumed on Tuesday nights 7:00-9:00 PM at the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. We’re working on Dvořák’s Mass in D Major, Op. 86, Cole Porter songs (“In The Still of the Night” and “Night and Day”), big-band-era favorites such as “Star Dust,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” and “Time After Time,” and a nice arrangement of “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home?” We’re accepting new or returning singers in all voice parts. Come sing!
April 27, 2019 @ 7:30 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.