A few months ago Ann Barnes, a founding member of Houlton Community Chorus, reminded former members that this year would be the 50th anniversary of the chorus. She invited everyone to join with her in revitalizing the chorus. While the response was low, there was just enough representation of each voice to establish a small choral group.
For several weeks the group has been rehearsing many seasonal offerings. They will sing A Cappella for the residents of Gardiner Nursing Home on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 PM and of Madigan Estates on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
In addition, on Sunday, Dec. 14, the chorus will hold a “Seasonal Social” open to the public at the First Baptist Church on Court Street. Light refreshments will be served at 3:15 p.m. followed by a concert at 4 p.m. Favorite songs presented by the chorus will include “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming”, “Keep the Flame Alive”, and various other carols. Kim and Ryan Carmichael will sing “O, Holy Night” as a duet.
Accompaniment for the Sunday performances will be by Scott Walker on the piano. Rueline Geishecker, Harry Roper, Hanni Kim, Hope Chernesky, and Ben Walker will accompany one of the pieces on strings. The string players will also give instrumental renditions of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Still, Still, Still”.
The SATB chorus members are sopranos Ann Barnes, Kim Carmichael, Janet Hansen, and Joyce Fitzpatrick; altos Rueline Geishecker, Mary Lowery, and Karen Klahr; tenors David Flemington and Harrison Roper; and basses Forrest Barnes, Doug Dieckmann, and Marc Fuller.
