Above: NACC is just one of the area singing groups inviting Southborough residents to join them very soon. (Photo cropped from NACC on Facebook and logos from chorus websites and social media)
It’s still technically summer, but many of the area community choruses are already getting ready to rehearse for their December holiday shows. So, once again its time to share choices for Southborough adults who want to belt out some tunes (outside of the shower).
There is only one current in-town option I’m aware of — The Messiah Community Chorus. But that group only holds one concert per year and doesn’t get going until much later in the fall. So I’m also sharing details on the area choral groups in neighboring towns that welcome adult members from the Southborough community.
Most are kicking off rehearsals in September, some as soon as next week.
I’m breaking these up by those that welcome all singing levels, and those that are by audition only.
No Auditions Required
There are several local options for Southborough residents who would like to join a community chorus. These nearby groups promote themselves to singers of all levels.
The Northborough Area Community Chorus
Their website shares that NACC “was formed in the spring of 1972 and has grown from a few hearty people of Adult Education Classes at Algonquin Regional High School, who enjoyed singing, to a spirited blend of 60 SATB voices. “
This Tuesday, they’ll hold a “New Singers Info & Music 101 Session”. (It’s optional, so you don’t necessarily have to attend in order to join them this season.) That’s September 2nd from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The following Tuesday, September 9th, NACC begins weekly rehearsals (also from 7:00 – 9:00 pm) for its Christmas Concert. In past years, they communicated that the rehearsals at the start of each season (September and January) are “‘open’ until all seats are filled.”
The rehearsals are held in the chorus room of Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St.
The chorus, under the direction of David Rose, represents 16 local communities. It is supported in part with grants from the Northborough, Westborough, and Shrewsbury Cultural Councils. (In prior years it also received support from Southborough and Marlborough.)
For more information, visit www.nacc.net
Westborough Community Chorus
Another nearby community singing group for the MetroWest region with Christmas and Spring concerts.
My family enjoyed going to WCC’s concerts for years. (Full disclosure, that’s because my father used to be a member. He always says that it’s a wonderful way to have fun with people who share a love for singing.)
Rehearsals for this year’s holiday show are on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm starting September 8th. They take place at the Westborough Senior Center, 4 Rogers Rd. The group promotes that they are especially seeking “Tenors & Basses”, but all interested singers are welcome.
You can find more information at westborocommunitychorus.com.
Treblemakers Chorus
The Treblemakers, organized through the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, performs two concerts per year and at local events. “Their beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is especially requested. Membership is open to all who love to sing and love to have fun!”
Singers of all levels are invited to join this adult choral ensemble for residents of Hopkinton and surrounding MetroWest towns ages 18+. The group promotes:
We are dedicated to sharing the joy we find in music with each other and with everyone in our communities. We strive for mutual respect, friendship, and fun, and to present quality performances wherever possible.
Rehearsals for their December concert are Wednesdays, 7:30 – 9:30 pm starting September 10th. Those take place at HCA, 98 Hayden Rowe St.
Participants register as if joining an HCA class. But first, learn about joining them, interested singers are asked to fill in a contact form on the website here.
Treblemakers’ concerts also features performances by a special a capella offshoot of the chorus — HCA Harmony. Scroll down for info on that by-audition group.
Shir Joy Chorus of Massachusetts
SJCM is an about 20 member chorus dedicated to performing Jewish music. “If you are interested in learning and performing music from the rich and varied Judaic cultures of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, we’re interested in you. SJCM envisions a musical organization dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation of the breadth and beauty of Jewish culture through performances and related activities.”
Their season runs later into the summer than most and doesn’t promote its rehearsal schedule in the early fall. But they do welcome new members each year. You can learn more about the chorus here and inquire about joining them by emailing ShirJoyMA@gmail.com.
The Messiah Community Chorus
Each October/November, a group of singers prepares for the annual tradition of performing selections from Handel’s Messiah at concert in December at Pilgrim Church. Stay tuned for this year’s details which are announced much later in the fall. (In the meantime, you can read last year’s announcement here to get a feel.)
Audition Required to Join
The following nearby choral groups are more selective about who they accept as members.
Heritage Chorale
The group asked me to share news of upcoming open rehearsals and auditions for their 89th season. The chorus gathers in Framingham at Scott Hall, 24 Vernon St.
Anyone can sing with the Heritage Chorale: Tuesdays, September 2nd and/or 9th, from 7:15–9:45 pm to “experience the energy, talent, and dedication of Chorale singers, Heritage Chorale singers”, and their “inspired” music director, and “expert” accompanist. If you enjoy the experience, after the rehearsal, you can can audition to join them.
Their season typically includes a Fall and spring concert, plus a “winter Pops”. For more details, click here.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers
AVM is a regional chorus representing over twenty towns in the Metro-West region. “While vocal training is not essential, basic musicianship, a good musical ear, and a dedication and love for the choral classics are a must for AVM vocalists.”
Interested singers are invited to attend an open rehearsal as they prepare for their season with four concerts planned for November through May (plus an additional concert by the “Chambersingers”, their small ensemble subset of the chorus.). Their rehearsals are normally Mondays 7:30 – 9:49 pm at at First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, 19 Church Road. I already missed sharing one open rehearsal date. The next two are Tuesday September 2nd and Monday, September 8th. Details on what is entailed, including scheduling an audition, can be found here.
For more information on AVM, visit www.avmsingers.org.
HCA Harmony
This a capella ensemble is pitched for “singers who would like to refine their musical talents in a vocal ensemble.” They promote exploring music “from Madrigals to Barbershop Quartets to Bach chorales to DooWop to jazzy tight-harmony groups like Singers Unlimited and Pentatonix” An ability to read music is considered “important” and experience as part of a choir “helpful”.
The group will perform during the Treblemaker’s winter and spring concerts at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. Participants register as if joining an HCA class. But first, to perform with this “ensemble class”, you’ll need to audition.
The group will rehearse on Thursdays, 7:15 – 8:45 pm, starting on September 25th. (No date has been publicly posted for when auditions will be held.)
To learn about joining them, interested singers are asked to fill in a contact form on the website here.
If you know of other singing groups you’d like to share, feel free to post a comment.
