A capella groups to perform Friday
Presque Isle’s Donovan to sing with University of Maine Renaissance
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine Steiners and Renaissance will be performing this Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium.
Allisen Donovan
The Maine Steiners are the oldest, most well-established a capella group at the University of Maine. Having been around for over 50 years, the group performs a variety of musical styles for the enjoyment of audiences all over the state and New England. They are made of men from the University Singers, the University’s touring choir, and have several members outside of the music department.
Renaissance, the second oldest a capella group at the University of Maine, is made up of members of University Singers, the University’s touring choir, and range from psychology majors to music performance majors. They perform music spanning several genres.
The upcoming concert will also feature Presque Isle’s own Allisen Donovan, who sings in Renaissance.
“I have been a member of Renaissance for just over a year now. I auditioned for the group at the beginning of second semester last year,” said Donovan. “I’ve been a member of the University Singers for two years now, and I have continually watched Renaissance perform. They are a fantastic group, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of something that wonderful!”
The 20-year-old daughter of Linda and Tim Kelly, and Kirk Donovan, the singer graduated from Presque Isle High School in 2008. She is majoring in vocal music education and vocal performance.
“After I get my undergrad, I’m hoping to continue on to get my master’s degree in vocal performance,” Donovan said. “I haven’t decided where yet, but the University of Southern California is on my radar right now.”
The number of performances that Renaissance does a year varies.
“Sometimes we book gigs months in advance, and sometimes we book them as little as a week in advance,” said Donovan. “I’d say we’ve done over 20 gigs thus far this year, and we have more to come! We do everything from birthday parties to fund-raising events like the Lobster and Wine Fest. We are going to be singing at a benefit concert for a student with MS, as well as at the goodbye ceremony for the University of Maine’s current president who is stepping down.”
Renaissance performs a variety of music, but the group focuses on popular songs of today.
“We range from Crosby, Stills, and Nash to Katy Perry,” said Donovan. “We just added some Justin Timberlake to our repertoire, but we love doing classics like ‘Mama Who Bore Me,’ from the Broadway musical, ‘Spring Awakening.’”
Donovan said she encourages everyone to attend the concert because there is “going to be music for everyone.”
“Both Steiners and Renaissance love to entertain and put on quite the show. There will be a lot of humor, jokes, and good music! It’s really just going to be a good time, and we love to share our antics and music with everyone,” she said.
Donovan is equally thrilled to be singing in her hometown.
“I know how excited the rest of the groups are, too, but for me it’s a little something extra. I get to see friends and family and I get to give everyone a glimpse into my little world of music. This is what I’m doing at school, and it’s what I want to do with the rest of my life!
“Everyone is so talented and I think it will be refreshing for the community to experience something a little different. I remember when Steiners came up when I was in high school, and I just thought it was the coolest thing ever. I think what I’m most looking forward to though is doing the workshops with the kids that afternoon. I get to share what I love the most with children that love it just as much. It’s going to be so wonderful.”
Donovan said she wishes to thank the Presque Isle Music Boosters and Jay Nelson, SAD 1 vocal music teacher and chorus director, for helping to make the concert happen.
“We are so excited and can’t wait to get up there,” she said. “We have some great things in store for everyone.”
Admission is $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults. Proceeds will benefit the SAD 1 Music Boosters.
