CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou Choral Society members are preparing to perform a plethora of show tunes and Broadway hits for their 42nd annual spring concert series, which will take place in Caribou and Presque Isle this May.
Conductor Daniel Ladner leads the Caribou Choral Society during their April 16 rehearsal at the Holy Rosary Church in Caribou.
(Chris Bouchard | Aroostook Republican)
Led by conductor Daniel Ladner and accompanist Jennifer Holmes, the chorus will perform on Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium, and on Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at Caribou’s Holy Rosary Church — the same location where the roughly 50-member group rehearses.
Ladner, who has been the group’s conductor since they began 42 years ago, said at an April 16 rehearsal that he chose the songs for the concerts. While the group usually performs one half of classical or sacred songs and the second set of popular or show tunes, he decided to make the upcoming show consist only of more popular music, which is a hit with both the performers and audiences.
Ladner has been interested in music his entire life, and said when he was a young boy his mother would have him sing at community shows in the area.
The Caribou Choral Society warms up during their rehearsal at the Holy Rosary Church in Caribou on April 16.
(Chris Bouchard | Aroostook Republican)
“I don’t know if you’d call her a ‘stage mother’ or not,” he said with a laugh, “but she encouraged me.”
At 5 years old, Ladner took piano lessons and later went on to Boston University to become a band director. He then transferred to the University of Maine at Presque Isle, graduated, and taught music in The County for 10 years, and even ran the Caribou Performing Arts Center for a decade.
“I’ve been a busy boy,” he said. “I’ve always loved my career.”
For the show itself, Ladner said people can expect a “lighter program with a lot of fun, comical songs.”
Caribou Choral Society member Teresa Parady said she has been an official member for six years, but that her mother has been part of the group for over three decades.
Parady, who is originally from The County, attended the University of Southern Maine, majoring in music as a vocal performer, and subsequently spent seven years as a professional opera singer for the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
When she returned, she said she wanted to support music however she should, and that the Caribou Choral Society was “definitely a group I wanted to be a part of.”
“I would encourage anybody,” Parady said, “young or old, to join. We are actually always looking for younger people to come in. You don’t have to be the greatest singer or music reader either; that’s why we have rehearsals.”
She added that Ladner “knows how to keep everything alive and fresh,” and that members of the group all enjoy one another’s company.
The upcoming spring concerts are one of two events held by the group, with the other being a Christmas series of performances in Caribou, Presque Isle, and the St. John Valley.
Ladner added that anyone interested in choral music is welcome to join, and can call him at (207) 764-1482 to learn more about how to get involved.
