Sheepscot Valley Chorus

01/20/2026

Sing Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" with Sheepscot Chorus this spring!

Sheepscot Chorus invites you to sing Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" as part of "Many Voices, One Dream," a concert celebration of diversity to mark our nation's 250th anniversary. The Chorus will perform works by American composers representing varied cultures and backgrounds.

In early December 1963, Leonard Bernstein received a letter from the Dean of the Cathedral of Chichester in England, requesting a piece for the Cathedral’s 1965 music festival. The Dean wrote, "Many of us would be very delighted if there was a hint of "West Side Story" about the music." Bernstein composed his "Chichester Psalms" in Hebrew, selecting psalms expressing a plea for peace. Written for chorus and treble soloist, the work uses music that was written for the prologue of "West Side Story" but was dropped early on. Critic Howard Klein wrote that "Chichester Psalms" was "at once a lovely, enchanting work and a noisy, exciting one."

Sheepscot Chorus rehearsals are high-energy and challenging. "We work hard," says Artistic Director Linda Blanchard, "but we keep the rehearsals upbeat and fun." Chorus members range from newly-minted singers to seasoned performers. We provide practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsal feeling prepared and ready to go!

The Chorus resumes rehearsals on Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00 PM, at the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset, next to the Wiscasset District Court. Rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays in preparation for the concerts on April 11 and 12. Singers who'd like to join can register to sing by sending an email with your voice part to [email protected]. For more information, visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus or sheepscotvalleychorus.org.

The mission of the Sheepscot Valley Chorus is to provide opportunities for amateurs who like to sing.

08/18/2025

Join Sheepscot Chorus to sing Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" and other holiday favorites on December 7

Sheepscot Chorus invites you to join us as we begin rehearsals for our Sunday, December 7 Boothbay Harbor holiday concert, featuring Benjamin Britten's magical "A Ceremony of Carols," performed with harp, and conducted by artistic director Linda Blanchard.

"A Ceremony of Carols" was based upon poems found in the book "The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems." Britten discovered this book during a stopover in Halifax, Nova Scotia, while on a wartime voyage back to England from the United States in 1942. Drawn primarily from medieval and Renaissance verses, these texts inspired Britten to compose this beloved work. Sheepscot Chorus will present the SATB version of the piece, which was approved by the composer.

Holiday pops favorites will round out the second half of the program. Co-director and accompanist Sean Fleming has a knack for bringing together top-notch musicians for our holiday pops orchestra, sure to set toes tapping!

Rehearsals are lively, challenging, and rewarding. Chorus members range from newly-minted singers to seasoned performers. Singers are provided practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsals feeling prepared and ready to go!

The Chorus rehearses on Tuesday nights, starting with Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 PM, at the Congregational church in Wiscasset, next to the Wiscasset District Court. For more information, please send a message to [email protected], leave a message at 207-536-8102, or visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.

01/06/2025

Sing jazz and folk songs with Sheepscot Chorus this spring!

Sheepscot Chorus invites you to sing Bob Chilcott's "A Little Jazz Mass," and folk songs arrangements by Vaughan Williams, Holst, Grainger, and others. "A Little Jazz Mass" is an innovative choral work that blends traditional liturgical text with the rhythmic and harmonic flavors of jazz. It is one of Chilcott's most celebrated and popular choral works, and has received many performances across the world, including at St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Sheepscot Chorus rehearsals are high-energy and challenging. “We work hard,” says Blanchard, “but we keep the rehearsals upbeat and fun.” Chorus members range from newly-minted singers to seasoned performers. We provide practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsal feeling prepared and ready to go!

The Chorus resumes rehearsals on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00 PM, at the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset, next to the Wiscasset District Court. Rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays in preparation for the concerts on April 12 and 13. No audition is required. To register, simply come to a Tuesday rehearsal. For more information, send a message to [email protected], or visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.

The mission of the Sheepscot Valley Chorus is to provide opportunities for amateurs who like to sing.

11/04/2024

Here's our wonderful poster for the December 1 concert, designed by Marjorie DiVece. Please come!

08/23/2024

Sheepscot Chorus to Sing the Vaughan Williams "The First Nowell" and other holiday favorites in December 2024

Sheepscot Chorus invites you to join us as we begin rehearsals for our Sunday, December 1 Boothbay Harbor holiday concert, featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams's "The First Nowell," performed with professional soloists and chamber orchestra. "I look forward to perform this heartwarming holiday piece for the community. We’re excited to get started!" says director Linda Blanchard.

"The First Nowell" is a collection of carols written to accompany a nativity play, and in addition to the title carol it includes carols such as "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," "The Cherry Tree Carol," " The Sussex Carol," and more. Vaughan Williams biographer Stephen Connock wrote about the appeal of the work: "Vaughan Williams’ Christmas music in its freshness and warmth speaks directly to the heart. It is music to be played and cherished on Christmas Eve, at home, near the fire, with children safe and all at heart’s-ease."

Holiday pops favorites will round out the second half of the program. Co-director and accompanist Sean Fleming has a knack for bringing together top-notch musicians for our holiday pops orchestra, sure to set toes tapping!

Rehearsals are high-energy and challenging. "We work hard," says Blanchard, "but we keep the rehearsals upbeat and fun." Chorus members range from newly-minted singers to seasoned performers. We provide practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsal feeling prepared and ready to go!

The Chorus rehearses on Tuesday nights, starting with our first rehearsal on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:00 PM, at the Congregational church in Wiscasset, next to the Wiscasset District Court. For more information, please send a message to [email protected], leave a message at 207-315-9740, or visit Sheepscot Valley Chorus and sheepscotvalleychorus.org.

Photo credit Bob Crink.