Orchestra to present free spring concerts in the County

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — A series of free concerts of operatic and choral works will be offered to the public starting Friday in Houlton at the Wesleyan Church at 7 p.m. This is the first time in its 25-year history that the Northern Maine Chamber Society will be presenting a combined concert with the Caribou Choral Arts Society and the Houlton Community Chorus, according to Rue Geishecker the principal cellist.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
REHEARSAL — Members of the Northern Maine Chamber Society Orchestra go over music prior to rehearsal last Sunday. They will present a series of free concerts in the county starting in Houlton at the Wesleyan Church on Friday at 7 p.m. They will perform Saturday at 7 p.m. in Caribou at Holy Rosary Church and Sunday at 3 p.m. in UMPI’s campus center. From left are Sue Herold, principal violinist next to her daughter Teresa, who will sing operatic works. Waldo Caballero, the conductor, is next to Rue Geishecker, the principal cellist.
    Although the concerts are free, the groups will accept donations which Geishecker said are used to offset expenses like music and travel. The all-volunteer group, mostly professionals, comes from as far away as St. Agatha, Fosterville, N.B. and Bangor.
    The guest soloist is Teresa Herold of Ft. Fairfield who is employed with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Walter Caballero, the conductor, teaches in Orono and plays viola with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
    The program features works by Rossini, Bizet, Faure, Mascagni and Verdi in addition to patriotic selections. The choruses will also perform separately from the orchestra.
    Additional performances over the weekend are in Caribou at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church and at UMPI’s campus center on Saturday at 3 p.m.