Choir Performs 12/9/11 & 12/10/11

Soloist Olivia Vanner, R., looks over some music with another soprano, Sarah SproulThe St. Cecilia Chamber Choir, with singers from up and down midcoast Maine, is delighted to announce that it is ready to entertain the public this weekend with its annual Christmas concerts. Performances are Friday evening, December 9, 2011 at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle at 7:30 PM. The Sunday concert will start at 3 PM in the beautiful English style Bowdoin Chapel in Brunswick.

It is traditional for this concert of lessons and carols to include two very young performers who process, light candles, and alone sing the first verse of “Silent Night” which, by candlelight, concludes the program.

Director Linda Blanchard is pleased to announce that this year’s Christmas children (sometimes alluded to as “urchins”) will be Benji Pugh, age 8, and his sister, Phoebe Pugh, 11, of Alna. They attend Great Salt Bay School and St. Andrew's Church, where they sing in the Youth Choir.  Their parents are Alex and Lili Pugh.

Another young person spotlighted will be student member Olivia Vanner, 15 and a sophomore at Medomak Valley Regional. She will sing the soprano solos in a lively setting of “I Saw Three Ships.”

The choir will also sing short anthems old and new. Part of the spectacle are the processions, sing-along carols, readings of poetry and scripture, and candle lighting. The concert is a festive way to get into the mood for the holidays. Children and students are admitted free of charge.

Adults tickets may be purchased from choir members or at the Maine Coast Book Store in Damariscotta or Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, for $15. For the first time tickets can also be bought on line.

The choir is accompanied by Sean Fleming.