The Colby-Kennebec Choral Society

Community Choir Seeks New Singers in Central Maine

The Colby-Kennebec Choral Society (CKCS) invites all interested singers to join it for its fall program “Canções D’Além Mar,” or “Songs from Across the Sea.” Rehearsals start on Tuesday, September 12, and will continue on Tuesdays, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m., in the new Gordon Center for the Performing Arts at Colby College in Waterville. The performance will be held on Saturday, November 18, in the Gordon Center’s 300-seat concert hall.

The chorus will sing nine works, each from a different land and in a different language. This captivating program will transport listeners to a mesmerizing realm where foreign languages interweave harmoniously, creating a tapestry of cultural diversity through song.

The centerpiece of the program is Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez’s Misa Criolla. Rooted in Latin American folk music traditions and using a Spanish translation of the traditional Catholic mass, this 23-minute work infuses sacred liturgy with vibrant rhythms and melodies, evoking a sense of spiritual fervor and unity. Adorned with indigenous instruments and lush choral arrangements, Ramirez’s composition captures the essence of devotion and celebration, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich musical heritage of South American lands.

Founded in the 1960s, CKCS is a four-part (SATB) community chorus that performs both classical and contemporary works. At present, it has four dozen members. Along with Colby’s student choral ensembles, CKCS currently prepares two programs per year: a concert of short works of diverse styles and eras but with a common theme in November and a choral masterwork with the Colby Symphony Orchestra and professional soloists in late April or early May. Last spring’s masterwork was Schubert’s Stabat Mater; next spring, it will be Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9.

The Choral Society is always seeking new singers. Tenors and basses are especially welcome, and we encourage high school students of all voice parts to join. Neither prior experience nor an audition is needed. The ability to read music is helpful, but not required. Learning tracks and printed scores will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact the director, Dr. Néviton Barros (he/him/his), at nbarros@colby.edu or (207)859-5680.