St. Cecilia Chamber Choir is a fully-auditioned community group of singers, from talented youth to seasoned performers. Singers perform the very finest challenging choral repertoire spanning the centuries from medieval to modern, under the direction of husband-and-wife team Linda Blanchard and Sean Fleming of Damariscotta. In the English choral tradition, performers sing with a straight tone, enabling attention to fine-tuning rich harmonies. Much of the choir’s repertoire is a cappella, and it is frequently are accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra. The choir presents two to three concerts per year, typically in December and May, with an additional concert this year in June.

 

Members are a dedicated and friendly bunch, eager to welcome new members, especially encourage gifted students to audition. Rehearsals are high-energy and challenging.

 

“We work hard,” says Blanchard, “but we keep the rehearsals upbeat and fun. We provide practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsal feeling prepared and ready to go!”

 

Singers wishing to audition should have good vocal control, and sopranos and altos should be able to sing without vibrato. The ability to read music is preferred, but those who cannot read may participate by spending extra time learning the music at home with the aid of provided practice materials.

 

Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. starting on Sept. 14, at St. Andrew’s Church, Glidden St. in Newcastle. Choristers are vaccinated and will wear masks when they are singing.

 

To schedule an audition, call Linda Blanchard at (207) 380-2768 or email audition@ceciliachoir.org. For more information about the Choir, please visit our website at ceciliachoir.org.