Quoddy Voices, our region’s community chorus, once again takes the stage with a pair of concerts on Friday, November 18 at 7 pm, and Sunday, November 20 at 3 pm, at Eastport Arts Center. The chorus’ program, ‘A Harvest of Song,’ celebrates the season of thanksgiving as well as the upcoming feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.
The opening set focuses on the earth, with two choral favorites by the English composer John Rutter, Frank Ticheli’s “Earth Song” and “Turn the World Around”, the inspirational pop classic by Harry Belafonte. Anton Bruckner’s “Locus Iste” celebrates our home as an “inestimably holy place.”
The treble voices then celebrate the fall season with “Autumn Vesper”, a setting of Emily Bronte’s ethereal poem. Three delightful works by the 20th-century African-American composer Florence Price follow. The chorus’ resident trio, Jenny and the Barbs, are featured in the graceful “The Moon Bridge.”
The ensemble now celebrates the gift of music and song in honor of St. Cecilia’s feast day (November 22). Barbara Fox offers a contemporary solo version of the American gospel tune “How Can I Keep From Singing?”; Dan Forrest’s “Alway Something Sings” continues the idea, with a recurring and haunting melody sung by Manuela Brice.
Rousing selections from Henry Purcell’s 1692 composition “Hail, Bright Cecilia!” follow, featuring soloists Steve Koenig, Jennifer Gillies and Barbara Smith.
Randall Thompson’s uplifting choral masterpiece, “Alleluia”, concludes this season’s program.
Quoddy Voices is a constituent group of the Eastport Arts Center, with dedicated members who hail from all over our region to make music together. John Newell directs the ensemble and Jane Lanctot is the piano accompanist.
Suggested donation for the concert is $15; students age 17 and under will be admitted free. The Eastport Arts Center is at 36 Washington Street, Eastport, and at www.eastportartscenter.org, and is handicapped-accessible. Tickets will be available at the door, and on the EAC site.