North Country Chorus will reconvene for its 75th annual season on January 17th at 7:15pm at St. Johnsbury Academy Morse Center for the start of its spring production and always welcomes new singers. No tryouts are required. A singer from Craftsbury, Mabel Houghton, who has been singing with the chorus for several years, would love to carpool with any others who might be interested.

The chorus of approximately 75 members will be performing a work by Craig Hella Johnson entitled "Considering Matthew Shepard" accompanied by a chamber ensemble. Using a multitude of different musical styles and genres, this work is an oratorio about an "ordinary boy" who, reports say, was targeted because he was gay.

The foreword, by Daniel Bara, states that "this 105 minute narrative offers a sweeping and multi-hued meditation on mankind's predilection for cruelty toward those who we view as different. But, it resounds, unmistakably, with a rousing affirmation for the redemptive power of love and gratitude as it encourages us to recognize the beauty of our underlying oneness with each other. More than a timely and poignant memorial for its namesake, the enduring art of Considering Mathew Shepard is its power to reawaken and renew our love and compassion for one another regardless of race, gender, orientation or religion…."

One can hear multiple performances of the work on YouTube if you wish to listen prior to our first rehearsal. Again, rehearsals start on January 17th and are held every Tuesday thereafter from 7:15-9 pm at the St .Johnsbury Academy Morse Center for The Arts. Performances will be May 6 and 7 at South Church Hall in St.Johnsbury.

If interested in joining the chorus this season, please contact the director, Alan Rowe (musicdirector@northcountrychorus.org) or call 802-748-5027. If interested in carpooling to rehearsals and for more information, please contact Mabel Houghton (houghtonmabel@gmail.com) or call 802 755 6178.

Event Info

Jan 3, 2025, 6 to 9 PM

Jan 4, 2025, 12 to 4 PM

Jan 6, 2025, 5:45 to 6:15 PM