Towns listed are in Massachusetts, unless otherwise noted.
Singers interested in joining groups to sing in these concerts can look at Open Rehearsals, or the individual member group websites for information about open rehearsals or auditions.
Events are updated during the season, so check back again for any updates. September October
November
November 8, 2019 8:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Dr. Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director and Conductor
Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester
“The English Cathedral”
The Worcester Chorus will perform works from the rich Anglican musical heritage, including pieces by Parry, Stanford, Vaughan Williams and other major British composers. With Mark Mummert on organ.
www.musicworcester.org
November 16, 2019 8:00 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough
41st Season — Building Bridges
Bridging Traditions: From Psalm to Mass with orchestra and soloists
Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass” (Mass in Time of Distress) was composed during the tumult of Napoleonic Wars, but celebratory trumpets foreshadow Nelson’s victories. “Chichester Psalms” was conceived by Leonard Bernstein following President Kennedy’s assassination and the murder of close friend Marc Blitzstein. In combining Jewish and Christian choral traditions Bernstein was implicitly pleading for the peace of the young country of Israel. Soloists: soprano Dana Varga; mezzo Pamela Dellal; tenor Gregory Zavracky; and baritone John Salvi.
www.AVMsingers.org
November 17, 2019 4:00 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Artistic Director
First Baptist Church, Worcester
A New England Harvest Home –
Salisbury Singers stay close to home with the music of three noted New England composers: Alice Parker, Gwyneth Walker, and Randall Thompson, whose Frostiana will be performed in its entirety. Set to the poetry of the Pulitzer Prize-winning New England poet Robert Frost, Thompson’s Frostiana: Seven Country Songs are a delightful mix of poems reflecting on nature and include the famous “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Also widely performed throughout the country, the music of American composer Gwyneth Walker is beloved by performers and audiences alike for its energy, beauty, reverence, drama, and humor. Walker’s Psalm 23, commissioned by the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for the 1999 Region I Convention in Worcester – June 28, 1999, will be featured on the 20th anniversary of its premiere. Massachusetts composer Alice Parker’s music revels in the melodies of folk songs and hymns of old. The reflections in the sounds of these composers’ gems will envelope you in their warmth as we approach the chilly months.
www.salisburysingers.org
November 24, 2019 2:00 p.m.
Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra , Barbara Jones, Artistic Director
Hale School, Stow
Bach Christmas Oratorio: A return to Sounds of Stow’s 2014 version of this work, the Oratorio relates the story of the nativity in six cantatas, using texts drawn from various Biblical sources. Through an ever-engaging series of choruses, chorales, solo arias, intimate instrumental interludes and narrated recitatives, the familiar story comes to life in a way that has universal appeal for people of all religious outlooks. With soloists Nicole Estima, soprano; Deborah Rentz-Moore, mezzo; Jason Wang, tenor; James Dargan, baritone; Kyle Spraker, trumpet; and Margot Law, narrator.
www.soundsofstow.org
December
December 1, 2019 2:30 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
First Parish Church of Groton, Groton.
NVC’s Annual Messiah Sing: Bring your own score or borrow one of ours; come to sing or to listen! Proceeds to benefit Habitat For Humanity of North Central Massachusetts.
www.nashobavalleychorale.org
December 7, 2019 8:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Dr. Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director andf Conductor
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
Handel’s “Messiah”
An annual tradition for over 120 years, Handel’s most famous oratorio returns to Mechanics Hall this winter with soloists and orchestra.
www.musicworcester.org
December 8, 2019 4:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Mechanics Hall, Worcester.
NVC joins the Worcester Youth Orchestras for their Annual Family Holiday Concert.
www.nashobavalleychorale.org
December 8, 2019 3:00 p.m.
Greater Gardner Community Choir , Diane Cushing, Music Director
First Congregational Church of Gardner, Gardner.
A Holiday Gloria – featuring the Pioneer Valley Brass Quintet and joined by the Greater Gardner Youth Choir.
www.ggcchoir.org
December 14, 2019 8:00 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Artistic Director
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
Holiday Pops: Salisbury Singers with the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra –
Salisbury Singers will be chorus for the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops at Mechanics Hall. Featured will be John Williams’ “Exultate Justi” from the movie “Empire of the Sun,” Craig Courtney’s “Musicological Journey Through the 12 Days of Christmas,” and “Christmas Pipes” by Celtic Woman, as well as holiday sing-alongs.
www.salisburysingers.org
January
January 25, 2020 7:30 p.m. (reception afterward)
January 26, 2020 3:00 p.m.
Westford Chorus , Jim Barkovic, Music Director
All Saints Church, Chelmsford
www.WestfordChorus.org
January 26, 2020 3:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, Littleton.
Sacred Journeys, with members of the Orchestra of Indian Hill and professional soloists.
Program includes Missa in Angustiis (Nelson Mass), by Franz Joseph Haydn, and Dreamweaver, by Ola Gjeilo.
www.nashobavalleychorale.org
February
February 9, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Snow date: February 15, 2020 7:30 p.m.
Shir Joy Chorus , Nan AK Gibbons, Director
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough
Together We Sing! A concert of Jewish music from ancient to modern times. Lisa Marcus-Jones, piano accompanist.
www.shirjoychorus.com
March
March 1, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Artistic Director
First Baptist Church, Worcester
The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass –
A brilliant and exhilarating blend of the classical mass, modern choral beauty, and insightful poetry shared with traditional bluegrass musicians. Salisbury Singers bring the solemnity of a choir together with the down-home sparkle of bluegrass songs displaying an unpretentious, earthy philosophy; easy to sing and easy to understand. Love is the major theme—frustrated yearning love, secret, satisfied love or boldly proclaimed love. Join us for Carol Barnett’s The World Beloved paired with music from other traditions that inspire the Bluegrass tradition.
www.salisburysingers.org
March 8, 2020 2:00 p.m.
Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra , Barbara Jones, Artistic Director
Hale School, Stow
Dvorak Stabat Mater. A ten-movement, superbly constructed work that moves from the intensely painful to a triumphant arrival ‘in paradiso’ in one of the grandest and most vividly portrayed apotheoses in music, displaying great variety and musical invention along the way.
With soloists Dana Varga, soprano; Deborah Rentz-Moore, mezzo; Ray Bauwens, tenor; Ulysses Thomas, baritone.
www.soundsofstow.org
March 15, 2020 3:30 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
R.R. Jay Performing Arts Center, Saint John’s HS, Shrewsbury, MA
Pre-concert discussion at 2:30 pm: Cynthia Lee Wong, composer of AVM Commission, Northboro native, & musician of international renown
41st Season — Building Bridges
Bridges to Unity: We Are Not Alone with orchestra and soloists:
“The Time Has Come”—Eriks Esenvalds, text of Nelson Mandela
“Unity in Diversity”—Cynthia Wong: song cycle touching on nature & destruction, love & unity
“We Exist”—Oliver Caplan, text Naseem Rakha, with Algonquin Reg. HS Chamber Choir
“LUX: The Dawn From On High”—Dan Forrest, text from ancient liturgical chant, Scripture & modern secular love poetry
www.AVMsingers.org
CANCELLED – March 27, 2020 8:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Dr. Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director and Conductor
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
Brahms’ “Requiem”
The Worcester Chorus brings Brahms’ masterpiece for choir and orchestra back to Worcester. The Requiem will be paired with one of Brahms’ most beloved shorter choral works.
www.musicworcester.org
April
April 18, 2020 8:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, Littleton.
Beethoven Mass in C Major, Op. 86. Additional repertory TBD.
www.nashobavalleychorale.org
CANCELLED – April 25, 2020 7:30 p.m. (reception after)
CANCELLED – April 26, 2020 3:00 p.m.
Westford Chorus , Jim Barkovic, Music Director
April 25 – United Methodist Church, Westford
April 26 – All Saints Church, Chelmsford
reception afterward
www.WestfordChorus.org
May
CANCELLED – May 3, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Artistic Director
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
ELIJAH by Felix Mendelssohn, with orchestra and soloists –
In her final concert with the Salisbury Singers, Michelle Graveline will conduct this glorious masterwork that is a favorite of choruses everywhere. Part I of Elijah describes the story of the evolution of the Jewish people from the pantheistic worship of multiple gods to a monotheistic faith, as they make their way through the arid desert and alternatively cry for rain to the pagan god Baal, ultimately turning to God and rejoicing ultimately as their prayers are answered. Part II relates Elijah’s continued troubles and hopes, until he is finally taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. With Elijah, Mendelssohn has given us a noble and glorious musical drama that never fails to thrill singers and audiences alike.
www.salisburysingers.org
CANCELLED – May 8, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Dr. Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director and Conductor
St. Spyridon, Worcester
“On Broadway”
For its biennial fundraiser, the Worcester Chorus will sing music from a century of favorite Broadway shows.
www.musicworcester.org
May 16, 2020 8:00 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
Pilgrim Church, Southborough, MA
41st Season — Building Bridges
Bridges of the Spirit: Glories of France — with organist Brett Maguire
Requiem in d minor — Gabriel Faure
Gloria — Francis Poulenc
www.AVMsingers.org
CANCELLED – May 17, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra , Barbara Jones, Artistic Director
First Parish Church, Stow
Carol Barnett The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass. Featuring bluegrass band Southern Rail.
www.soundsofstow.org
May 17, 2020 4:00 p.m.
Greater Gardner Community Choir , Diane Cushing, Music Director
First Congregational Church of Gardner, Gardner.
Spring Concert – Song of Songs by Patrick Hawes with harp and other pieces.
www.ggcchoir.org
June
June 7, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Shir Joy Chorus, Nan AK Gibbons, Director
Congregation B’nai Shalom, Westborough
A concert of Jewish music from ancient to modern times. Lisa Marcus-Jones, piano accompanist.
www.shirjoychorus.com