Music Ministry

The Young Ringers Handbell Choir and Ensemble will begin rehearsing on February 28th in preparation for playing on Palm Sunday, March 28. Please let Nancy know if you would like to ring: newed3@maine.rr.com

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Choir News February 2010

Choir News1009

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Taking Off For Quebec!

The momentum is building for our first-ever First Parish Church Senior Choir tour, May 19 – 22, 2010. We have at least 25 singers and non-singers (aka the choir’s fan club!) already committed to participating!
It’s not too late to sign up either as a singer or a non-singer. Due to the Christmas holidays (when no one thinks about vacationing in the spring), we’ve decided to extend the deadline to February 15. This is when we would need a commitment and a deposit of $150.
There are brochures available in the lobby or in the church office, describing the singing, the touring, the sightseeing, our concerts and the wonderful areas of Charlevoix and Quebec City. If you have questions, you may contact John, Nancy or Cecily Johnson (Music Committee Chair).

Music Sunday

Due to our Quebec Tour, and John’s upcoming graduation in May, we will be celebrating our annual Music Sunday on February 28 this year. As befits the reflective season of Lent, we will be exploring music from Requiem masses by composers such as John Rutter and Gabriel Faure. Settings of the Mass form an important part of choral music, from the Middle Ages till the present. Composers usually set the 'Ordinary' or 'Common' of the mass, leaving the 'Proper' (varying with the occasion) to traditional plainsong, except for the Requiem Mass. The Requiem is a variant of the Mass, named after the beginning of the Introit, "Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine" (Grant them eternal rest, O Lord). The Requiem Mass is sung on All Souls' Day, in the beginning of November, in memory of the faithful departed, but may also be celebrated on other days in memory of a particular individual. In the twentieth century, Requiems were being written not just for individuals, but for humanity as a whole. Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (1961) written for World War II is an example.

Music Fest

A Music Fest for churches in Cumberland, North Yarmouth and Yarmouth sponsored by our Tri-Community Council of Churches will be held on Sunday, March 21 at the Cumberland Congregational Church.
This will be an opportunity to sing for and with each other. A hymn-sing will be an important part of this gathering. There will also be an opportunity for the choir from each church to sing something by themselves and for us all to sing one selection together.

Young Ringers Handbell Choirs

The Young Ringers Handbell Choirs will begin rehearsing on Sunday, Feb 28 in preparation for playing on Palm Sunday, March 28. There will be four rehearsals: February 28, March 7, 14, 21. Please contact Nancy (newd3@maine.rr.com) by February 14 to sign up.