The Saint Croix Courier

2008 May 6

Singers unite to celebrate Passamaquoddy Bay

By BARB RAYNER

ST. ANDREWS — Over 100 singers from both sides of the border are expected to take part in “Voices of the Bay” later this year — a choir festival celebrating Passamaquoddy Bay.

It all began when Jean Doucet, the organist at the Wesley United Church, and Hallie Bass, who is a member of the Grand Manan Community Choir, talked about getting together for a concert.

Dr. Lesley Pinder, who is very active in the Save Passamaquoddy Bay organization, then suggested having an event with choirs from all around the bay participating to celebrate the bay.

Now, said Francie Howard who is a member of the Wesley United Church choir, they are hoping to reach more singers who would enjoy being part of this event as well as let the community know a concert is planned for September.

“We are a community of communities that are linked by this spectacular environment and music that lifts up the voices of ordinary folk living in this region seems a fitting way to celebrate that,” said Howard.

Doucet said this week that communities have really picked up on the idea and they already have the Grand Manan choir, the United Church choir and the Shiretown Singers taking part as well as a group in St. Stephen and three groups combining in Eastport.

She said each choir will perform two or three numbers on their own and then there will be five numbers performed by the mass choir. Sharon Crowther, director of the Shiretown Singers, will direct the mass choir and Doucet will be accompanist.

The St. Andrews group choir under Pat Brown will be starting weekly practices Thursday, May 1 at the Presbyterian church hall, and the first mass choir practice will take place in June.

Howard said they are happy to include more singers. While reading music is not essential, the pieces will be in three or four parts so those joining should have some basic skills in choral music or singing in parts.

There will be a mass choir practice June 14 and another one during the summer. The concerts will take place the weekend of Sept. 26. Doucet said the plan is to perform in St. Andrews Friday, Sept. 26, in Eastport Saturday, Sept. 27 in the afternoon, then in Grand Manan Sunday, Sept. 28 in the evening.

“The theme is water. The concert is to celebrate the bay. We are not doing it as a protest,” said Doucet, but proceeds will go towards Save Passamaquoddy Bay.

Anyone who is interested in singing should contact Carol Baker (466-5861) in the St. Stephen area and Jean Doucet (529-8864) in the St. Andrews area, and other inquiries can be directed to Howard at <lanceandfrance@yahoo.ca>.