Almost every Monday evening throughout the school year, approximately 50 singers gather in Damariscotta to spend two hours rehearsing a vast assortment of choral music under the direction of conductor Beth Preston. Ranging in age from high school to retirement, the members share a love of music, harmony, challenges, and camaraderie. Their four annual concerts reflect their dedication.

The Tapestry Singers, in its 27th year, is primarily an amateur group, but the music it tackles is often sophisticated and unusual. “Some of the music trips easily off the tongue and is not hard to learn,” explains conductor Beth Preston, “but some of it is very difficult, with harmonies and rhythms that are counter intuitive. These tunes require a commitment to practice outside the rehearsal and a high level of musicianship.”

Auditions are informal and Preston makes sure they are lighthearted and fun, a solo audition is mandatory. During July and August, interested singers should visit the website www.TapestrySingersMaine.org and click on “Join Us” to begin the audition process. Tenors and basses are especially encouraged to audition.

The Tapestry Singers’ music director is recognized throughout Maine for her work with students at Lincoln Academy and her private voice students. Ms Preston has provided the vocal coaching for most of Heartwood Regional Theater Company’s musicals, most recently “Into the Woods.” She has sung with Vox Nova Chamber Choir in Brunswick under the direction of Shannon Chase and also as a chorus member in a number of productions of Portland Opera Repertory Theater (Opera Maine).

When it comes to the Tapestry Singers, the music director and the members share high aspirations. “My goal has been to move the group toward choral music of living composers and other gems written since the mid-20th century,” she says. “I choose the concert repertoire to both warm and challenge our sensibilities.”

Rehearsals are held Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30 at the Midcoast Friends Meeting House on Belvedere Road in Damariscotta.

This year’s December program, “Woven in Song,” will include traditional carols in new arrangements, music for Hanukkah, and works by Stephen Paulus, André Thomas, Barlow Bradford, and Dan Forrest.

The June 2018 concert will feature John Rutter’s “Gloria.” Each program is performed twice at the Second Congregational Church.