October 2011
October 8, 2011 8:00 p.m.
Master Singers of Worcester , Malcolm Halliday, Artistic Director
Salem Covenant Church, Worcester
Missa Gaia: We join forces with the WPI Festival Chorus and the WPI African Percussion Ensemble, all under the direction of John Delorey, to present the much loved and celebrated Missa Gaia, or Earth Mass. Created by Paul Winter in 1980, it is performed annually in the Cathedral of St John the Divine in NYC at the Blessing of Animals to celebrate the Feast of St Francis, where some 5,000 people flock to the Cathedral to participate in the Mass, accompanied by their pets of all kinds, sizes, shapes and smells. Our performance excludes pets yet features the power of 150+ young and old voices to bring the blessing of this great Earth Mass to you. The program will also feature two additional works composed by former Paul Winter Consort member, noted pianist and improviser Paul Halley: Ubi Caritas and Sound Over All Waters.
October 21, 2011 6:00 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Music Director
Trinity Lutheran Church, Jepson Hall, Worcester
6:00-7:00 p.m. Wine Tasting and Silent Auction
7:00-9:00 p.m. Whats It Worth Appraisal
Whats It Worth? Gala Benefit. Featuring Stuart Whitehurst, renowned generalist appraiser and senior auctioneer from Skinners Auction House with wine tasting sponsored by OHaras Wine and Liquors and Silent Auction. Bring an item to be appraised or just come to enjoy the wine tasting and silent auction while you learn about treasures from a bygone era.
November 2011
November 12, 2011 7:30 p.m.
November 13, 2011 4:00 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Music Director
November 12 – First Unitarian Church, Worcester
November 13 – Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Milford
With One Voice: Songs of Struggle, Patriotism and Renewal. This concert will commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11, remembering the victims and paying tribute to the heroes who struggled to respond on that fateful day. The renewal of our democratic ideals and spirit will also be celebrated along with the sacrifices of our veterans as well as our men and women in uniform who each day preserve, protect and defend our nation.
November 13, 2011 3:30 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
St. Mark’s School, Class of 1945 Hall, Southboro
“Glorious Sounds of France” with organist Brett Maguire and soprano Maria Ferrante.
Charles Gounod’s “Messe Chorale” is a newly discovered late 19th century choral gem by a most notable but often neglected French composer. A mature work, noticeable for its simplicity and use of chant, “Messe Chorale” will contrast sharply with the energetic, rhythmic, and exciting sound of Poulenc’s popular “Gloria”.
November 20, 2011 3:00 p.m.
Stow Festival Chorus , Barbara H. Jones, Artistic Director
Hale Middle School, Stow Center
Fall Concert: Haydn Theresienmesse, M Law, soprano; T Buckley, mezzo soprano; J Wang, tenor; M Cleveland, bass. Beethoven Triple Concerto, L Franko, violin; P Oliver, piano; A Falk, cello.
December 2011
December 2, 2011 8:00 p.m.
December 3, 2011 8:00 p.m.
December 4, 2011 2:00 p.m.
Westborough Community Chorus , Deb Lukey, Artistic Director
Sarah Gibbons Middle School, Westborough
Christmas Concert – Yuletide Tunes, Christmas selections for young and old.
December 3, 2011 8:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
Messiah by Handel; with Festival Orchestra and guest Soloists.
December 3, 2011 7:30 p.m.
Harvard Pro Musica , Dr. Mark S. Bennett, Music Director
Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church, Harvard
Christmas portions of Messiah by Handel and other holiday season music.
December 4, 2011 7:30 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Music Director
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
Holiday Concert. Back by popular demand, the Salisbury Singers will again perform a Holiday Concert. Free with Museum admission.
December 4, 2011 3:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Acton Congregational Church, Acton
Christmas Joy!: music of the season for choir and brass featuring Gloria by Rutter with brass and percussion.
December 4, 2011 2:00 p.m.
Charles River Chorale , Roy S. Kelley, Founding Director
Westwood High School, Westwood
Charles River Chorale in Concert: Holiday Concert, Sponsored by the Lion’s Club.
December 10, 2011 4:00 p.m.
(Snow Date December 11, 2011 4:00 p.m.)
Master Singers of Worcester , Malcolm Halliday, Artistic Director
Worcester Children’s Chorus , Jennifer Kane, Director
Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester
Boars Head Festival: Celebrate the winter solstice and welcome the yuletide with this Renaissance-styled pageant! Brass and organ will accompany traditional carols as well as modern and ancient choral music for the season. This years guest performances will include the Worcester Childrens Chorus, a Morris Dance troupe, the Shrewsbury Ringers, and an armored guard from Higgins Armory.
December 10, 2011 7:30 p.m.
Charles River Chorale , Roy S. Kelley, Founding Director
Millis High School, Millis
Charles River Chorale Holiday Concert: Holiday Music – The story of Christmas in song, raffle, silent auction and refreshments.
December 11, 2011 3:30 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
Trinity Church, Northboro
“Messiah” Sing with organ, soloists, & audience participation.
An annual holiday tradition! Join the Mastersingers in singing the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” Come to listen, bring a score, or borrow from us and sing along in this informal, exhilarating event.
December 11, 2011 3:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Littleton Congregational Church, Littleton
Annual Messiah Sing.
December 18, 2011 4:00 p.m.
Greater Gardner Community Choir , Diane Cushing, Director
First Congregational Church, Gardner
Ceremony of Carols by Britten (with Harp), the Massachusetts premier of Ted Mann’s Christmas series with harp, vibraphone and oboe, and other seasonal selections.
January 2012
January 21, 2012 8:00 p.m.
Acton Community Chorus , Paul Johnson, Director
Acton Congregrational Church, Acton
Acton Community Chorus presents “Winter Lights”, a concert featuring selections from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: a Mass For Peace, as well as other pieces fitting to the theme of peace, from greats like Mendelssohn, and ranging even to the likes of John Lennon.
January 21, 2012 7:30 p.m.
January 21, 2012 3:00 p.m.
Westford Chorus , Jim Barkovic, MusicDirector
January 21 – United Methodist Church, Westford
January 22 – Trinity Lutheran Church, Chelmsford
Made in the USA: Choral Music of America, Part 1. Music by American composers, including classical music by Randall Thompson and Samuel Barber and bluegrass and popular music of the 50’s through the 80’s.
February 2012
February 18, 2012 8:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
B-Minor Mass by Bach with the Arcadia Playes, Ian Watson Artistic Director; the Holy Cross College Chamber Choir; and Guest Soloists.
February 26, 2012 3:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Harvard Pro Musica , Dr. Mark S. Bennett, Music Director
Littleton High School, Littleton
Choral Spectacular: joint concert with the Orchestra of Indian Hill: Symphony of Psalms by Stravinsky and Harmoniemesse by Haydn.
March 2012
March 11, 2012 3:30 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
St. Mark’s School, Class of 1945 Hall, Southboro
“Music Across the Ages” with orchestra and Worcester Children’s Chorus.
“Mass in C”, Ludwig van Beethoven, & “Mass of the Children”, John Rutter.
AVM will span the ages with this delightful concert featuring the Mastersingers (ages 16-89) performing Beethoven’s choral classic, “Mass in C”, then joined by the Worcester Children’s Chorus (ages 8-18) to perform Rutter’s “Mass of the Children.” Written in 2003, this work combines the traditional Latin Mass texts with popular hymns to embrace a complete day, from waking to sleeping.
March 18, 2012 3:00 p.m.
Stow Festival Chorus , Barbara H. Jones, Artistic Director
Hale Middle School, Stow Center
Winter Concert. Bob Chilcott Requiem, Margot Law, soprano; Richard Monroe, tenor; Mendelssohn Hear My Prayer, Verleih uns Frieden. Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.2, Gregory Tolwinski soloist.
April 2012
April 1, 2012 4:00 p.m.
Master Singers of Worcester , Malcolm Halliday, Artistic Director
Temple Emanuel, Worcester
King David: Arthur Honegger’s dramatic oratorio tells the epic tale of David, the passionate musician, poet and warrior, who began life as a shepherd and became the King of Israel. This “symphonic psalm,” originally created as incidental music for Ren Morax’ play Le Roi David in 1921, quickly established the young Swiss composer’s reputation with a score that matched in energy and sweep this monumental story of the Hebrew Bible. Honegger later combined Morax’ narrative with the incidental music to create the work as it is best known today, scored for narrator, chorus, orchestra, and soloists. Featured performers will include Roger Brunelle as narrator and tenor Stanley Wilson. Preceding the concert at 3:00 PM, Rabbi Matthew Berger will present an informative lecture about the fascinating figure of David and his significance in the history of Israel. This concert is sponsored in part by a grant from the Alfred Nash Patterson Foundation, and is the Gould Music Festival concert of Temple Emanuel.
April 21, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Salisbury Singers , Dr. Michelle Graveline, Music Director
Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester
Baroque Brilliance. Salisbury Singers, accompanied by the Bach Consort of Worcester, presents two brilliant masterpieces by the two most celebrated Baroque composers. J.S. Bachs incomparable Cantata 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, and George Frideric-Handels brilliant and joyful Dettingen Te Deum, written to celebrate victory at the battle of Dettingen, full of the fanfares and flourishes for which Handel is known.
April 28, 2012 7:30 p.m.
April 29, 2012 3:00 p.m.
Westford Chorus , Jim Barkovic, MusicDirector
April 28 – All Saints Episcopal Church, Chelmsford
April 29 – United Methodist Church, Westford
Made in the USA: Choral Music of America, Part 2. Music by American composers, including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin plus ragtime and gospel music.
May 2012
May 4, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Master Singers of Worcester , Malcolm Halliday, Artistic Director
Pakachoag Church, Auburn
Silent Auction and Wine Tasting: Enjoy a performance by our own community minstrels, the Master Singers ToGo, and organ music while you bid on a wide variety of donated goods and services. Savory treats, fancy desserts, and a selection of fine wines from around the world will also be provided. Please bring checks or cash for purchases; credit cards will not be accepted.
May 5, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Harvard Pro Musica , Dr. Mark S. Bennett, Music Director
location TBD
Liebeslieder Waltzes by Brahms and fold music from around the world.
May 5, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Charles River Chorale , Roy S. Kelley, Founding Director
Millis High School, Millis
Charles River Chorale Spring Concert: A medley of springtime enjoyment.
May 6, 2012 3:00 p.m.
Nashoba Valley Chorale , Anne Watson Born, Music Director
Indian Hill Music Center, Littleton
Honor and Glory and Praise: featuring Cantata #21 by Bach with Baroque orchestra.
May 18, 2012 8:00 p.m.
May 19, 2012 8:00 p.m.
May 20, 2012 2:00 p.m.
Westborough Community Chorus , Deb Lukey, Artistic Director
Sarah Gibbons Middle School, Westborough
Spring Concert: Rockin’ 60’s & 70’s.
May 19, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers , Dr. Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director
Clinton Town Hall, Clinton
35th Anniversary Concert: “Music of the Theater”.
Celebrating the 35th anniversary of AVM’s first concert performance in a Pops-style event with options for regular seating or tables of 8 to enjoy beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres, desserts. Program to include choruses from opera and operettas, as well as highlights from Broadway.
May 20, 2012 4:00 p.m.
Master Singers of Worcester , Malcolm Halliday, Artistic Director
Salem Covenant Church, Worcester
Voices from the Bluegrass: Carol Barnetts The World Beloved: a Bluegrass Mass features the chorus and soloists in an energetic, eclectic work with a bluegrass band. Also on the program will be Gwyneth Walkers The Great Trees, with clarinetist Chester Brezniak and pianist Olga Rogach joining the chorus and soloists in evocative settings of texts by the Kentucky poet Wendell Berry, celebrating the beauty and spirituality of nature.
June 2012
June 3, 2012 4:00 p.m.
Worcester Chorus , Christopher Shepard, Artistic Director
Mechanics Hall, Worcester
Carmina Burana by Orff, with the Worcester Childrens Chorus; and Guest Soloists.
June 9, 2012 8:00 p.m.
Acton Community Chorus , Paul Johnson, Director
Hale Middle School, Stow
Hits of the Decades: a concert comprised of much loved songs spanning the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, with solo renditions to give spark and flavor from each era.