Tapestry Singers will present their spring concert, “Infinite Circle of Song,” at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle on Saturday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 9, at 5 p.m.

For this concert, Director Beth Preston collected a vast number of works by women composers—some well-known, some relatively undiscovered—to choose the twenty pieces on the final program. These include a 12th century chant by Hildegarde von Bingen and a 17th century madrigal Vittoria Aleotti, but the majority of the works were created by living composers. These range from arrangements of gospel spirituals by Undine S. Moore and others to an aleatoric (chance) piece by Australian composer Sarah Hopkins. Some are familiar favorites, such as “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye,” arranged by Alice Parker, and “Wanting Memories” by Ysaye Barnwell. Besides singing in Latin and Italian, Tapestry Singers sing “Dance of Zálongo” in Greek.

The Tapestry Singers will be accompanied on various pieces by Sean Fleming on the piano, Anne-Marie D'Amico on percussion, Taylor Briggs on recorder, and Jaja Martin on cello.

In her role as Artistic Director for Tapestry Singers and director of the Lincoln Academy Lincolnaires, Beth Preston has become known for championing the works of living composers. She has been awarded “Distinguished Choral Director of the Year 2010” from Maine ACDA, “Music Educator of the Year 2013” from Maine Music Educators District 3 and “Music Educator of the Year 2019” from the Maine state chapter of National Association for Music Education. This June marks her retirement from 37 years of teaching music in the public schools. She will continue to maintain her private studio, coaching classical and musical theater singers, as well as coaching professional and amateur singers for Heartwood Regional Theater productions. She is currently exploring the possibility of starting a regional children’s choir in September.

Tapestry Singers has benefited from Preston’s connection with young people. This concert includes a small chorus of young singers ranging from 6th grade to high school. And among its regular members of approximately 60 auditioned singers from around Lincoln County and beyond are a number of Lincoln Academy students. The chorus rehearses on Monday evenings throughout the school year at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.

For more information, visit the website. Tickets for “Infinite Circle of Song” are $15 per adult (no charge for students), and may be obtained from the website, www.TapestrySingersMaine.org or at the door. St. Patrick’s is located at 380 Academy Hill Rd. in Newcastle.