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 and singing groups 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).
And one group is inviting potential members to audition starting tonight.
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.
As I mentioned, one begins tonight. That’s Assabet Valley Mastersingers. (Sorry, I didn’t share that news sooner. But, don’t worry, there are still more opportunities later this month.) Scroll down for details on that one.
First, I’m starting by covering the groups that anyone is welcome to join. . .
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.” The group invites singers ages 16+ to register to join them.
NACC begins its weekly rehearsals for the season on Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 pm). They’ll be preparing for the Holiday Concert on December 6th. 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 Mass Cultural Councils of Northborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, and Berlin. (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 (December 5th & 6th) run starting in September on Monday evenings 7:30 pm. They take place at the Westborough Senior Center, 4 Rogers Rd. (Their website doesn’t list the first date. New members are encouraged to email president@westborocommunitychorus.com to learn more.)
The group promotes on Facebook that they are especially seeking “tenors and baritones/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 its holiday concert on a Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
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 sometime in September. Those take place at HCA, 98 Hayden Rowe St.
To 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.
Rehearsals are held at Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main St, Westborough.
Their season runs later into the summer than most and doesn’t kickoff its fall rehearsals until early October. You can learn more about the chorus here and inquire about joining them by emailing ShirJoyMA@gmail.com.
Their season runs later into the summer than most and doesn’t kickoff its fall rehearsals until early October. 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.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers
AVM is a regional chorus representing over twenty towns in the Metro-West region. They invite:
Are you looking for a choral experience in a community of welcoming, inclusive, respectful, collegial, and talented vocalists? Do you value high artistic standards? Welcome to AVM! . . .
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.
Tonight, they’ll start preparing for the first concert in their season of four concerts planned for November through May (plus an additional concert by the “Chambersingers”, their small ensemble subset of the chorus.).
They will be rehearsing the two pieces for the November Concert — “The Light Shines” – Lux Aeterna” by Morten Lauridsen and “Gloria” by Frances Poulenc.
Interested singers are invited to attend any of their first three rehearsals, which are “open rehearsals”. Th rehearsals are usually on Mondays 7:30 – 9:49 pm at at First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, 19 Church Road. (Next week, it will fall on a Tuesday due to the Labor Day holiday.) Details on what is entailed in auditioning, can be found here.
For more information on AVM, visit www.avmsingers.org.
Heritage Chorale
The group asked me to share news of upcoming open rehearsals and auditions for their 90th 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.
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. To perform with this “ensemble class”, you’ll need to audition.
(The schedule isn’t posted for rehearsals. But last year it was on Thursday evenings, starting in late September.)
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.
