With an eye toward concerts in May, Monadnock Chorus will begin weekly rehearsals Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 7 pm at the Union Congregational Church in Peterborough.
The all-volunteer group, led by Artistic Director Colin Mann, will be learning works by Mozart, Martines and Bach, culminating in spring concerts that will include professional soloists and a full orchestra. All interested singers are welcome to join the chorus. No audition is required, and COVID protocols, including masks throughout rehearsal, are observed. Complete information is available at monadnock-chorus.org.
“‘We will sing music that was never intended for public concerts,” stated Mann. “Mozart’s ‘MissaBrevis in F’ and ‘Dixit Dominus’ by Marianna von Martines were composed for liturgical and court settings and even to celebrate a new induction! Both composers studied with Haydn. In fact, Martines and her family lived downstairs from Haydn for a time in Vienna. Like Mozart, her musical talent was noted from an early age, and she became a highly regarded composer, earning admittance to the AccademiaFilarmonica of Bologna, a prestigious musical education society.”
A Bach cantata will also be in the repertoire. “J.S. Bach is considered the grandmaster of 18th-century style,” Mann stated. “We will perform Cantata 117, which is all about resounding joy for humanity and singing. This work seems especially appropriate for the Monadnock Chorus right now. We’re a group that fully embraces the joy of singing each week, and it uplifts us during these challenging times.”
“Being part of a large group that comes together to make music brings so many benefits,” stated Chester Bowles, a longtime chorus member from Sharon. “My wife Susan and I have been singing with the chorus for 39 years. Beyond getting to do something we both enjoy, the chorus and its members have become our second family. We’ve traveled together, shared countless meals, celebrated weddings, births and birthdays and also made lots of wonderful music. It’s hard to imagine how different our lives would have been without Monadnock Chorus.”
Singers of all experience levels, including people with a simple desire to sing, are welcome to join. Complete information about the chorus and how to join for this semester can be found at the Monadnock Chorus website or by sending email to monadnockchorus@gmail.com.