On Wednesday, Jan. 16, the University of Maine’s premiere male a cappella group, The Maine Steiners, came to Wiscasset Middle High School and led a specialized workshop for choral students in grades 4-12.

The workshop began with The Steiners speaking to the youth singers about performing. They then demonstrated pieces using multiple techniques so students could hear the importance of each technique.  Later in the workshop, members of The Steiners divided the chorus students into vocal parts and taught each group a special part.  The groups came together in the center of the gym to sing the parts together, creating four-part harmony.  The Steiners also answered questions from students, who were then treated to a Steiners demonstration of beat-boxing, showing students how percussive sounds and rhythms can be made using vocals only.  

After the workshop, all of the other students in grades 4-12 came to the gym for the concert.  The Steiners opened the show with a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”  They performed many different styles of music. including country, classical and pop. Audience favorites were “Wagon Wheel,” “A Billy Joel Medley,” and  “A Disney Medley.”  A highlight was The Steiners serenading Superintendent of Schools Terry Wood—some singing to her on bended knee!  

The Maine Steiners mission and goal is to share a love of music and a passion for singing in hopes of inspiring young people to pursue a lifelong commitment to musical learning and enjoyment.  As they introduced themselves to the audience, they told the students where they are from and what each one of them is studying at The University of Maine.  They stated to students, only two of them are music majors. Many study other subjects.  

Their performance was both entertaining and inspiring for Wiscasset students—surely a performance many won’t forget!