September 13, 2016 @ 7:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus Invites New Members The Sheepscot Valley Chorus is heading into its fall season, and new members are most welcome to join. The chorus has been singing for thirty-five years and is directed by Linda Blanchard, with accompanist Sean Fleming. The fall season will lead up to a concert in mid-December; with a spring season and a new concert line-up to follow, starting in January. New singers are welcomed in without audition. While it is helpful to have some basic ability to read music, there are practice CD’s made available to help members to learn their parts. Every rehearsal has some laughter and camaraderie, even – or especially – during the final weeks preparing for concert. The featured work this season will be Ottorino Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity”, composed in 1930. Listeners who are familiar only with Respighi’s most famous orchestral pieces are in for a treat of a different kind. Lightly orchestrated, and featuring several solo voices in addition to the chorus, this work echoes with musical styles of centuries earlier to create lyrical and lovely music. 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. The Sheepscot Valley Chorus rehearses every Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall of the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. Come sing!
December 4, 2016 @ 3:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus celebrates its 36th season with their Christmas concert Sunday, December 4th, at 3:00 p.m., at Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. Featured on the program is the Respighi’s “Laud to the Nativity,” accompanied by Sean Fleming on organ, and featuring soprano Mary Sullivan, mezzo-soprano Jazmin DeRice, and tenor Timothy Neill Johnson. In 1930, Ottorino Respighi composed “Lauda per la Natività del Signore”, the only sacred choral piece among his works. In this song of praise to the miracle of Christmas majestic sounding choral passages alternate with the soloistic roles of Maria, the Angel and the shepherd, accompanied by the sound of pastoral instruments. The music is varied, containing stylistic elements ranging from the late romantic to neo-baroque, as well as echoes of Gregorian chant. The second half of the concert will feature one of Bruckner’s beautiful Ave Maria settings, two carols by Sir Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan fame, an arrangement of the traditional French carol “Quittez, Pasteurs” by John Rutter, and other Christmas hits. Sheepscot Chorus is lead by director Linda Blanchard and accompanist Sean Fleming, both of Damariscotta. Tickets may be purchased at Maine Coast Book Shop, Sherman’s Books, Treats, and at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults and free to students. For more information, please visit our website at sheepscotvalleychorus.org.
January 17, 2017 @ 7:00 pm Sheepscot Valley Chorus Invites New Members for its Spring Season to sing the Forrest “Requiem for the Living” and Ellington favorites The Sheepscot Valley Chorus is heading into its spring season with its first rehearsal slated for Tuesday, January 17 at 7:00 PM, and new members are most welcome to join. The chorus has been singing for thirty-six years and is directed by Linda Blanchard, with accompanist Sean Fleming. The fall season will lead up to a concert in the spring that will feature Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living,” and “Ellingtonia,” a medley of songs by “Duke” Ellington. The “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 New singers are welcomed in without audition. While it is helpful to have some basic ability to read music, there are practice CD’s made available to help members to learn their parts. Every rehearsal has some laughter and camaraderie, even – or especially – during the final weeks preparing for concert. 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. The Sheepscot Valley Chorus rehearses Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM in the fellowship hall of the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. Come sing!
April 29, 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.
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.