Northeast UU Choral Festival

Back by popular demand!!
July 12 - July 19

The Choral Festival, first introduced in 2007, is a week-long conference centered around the joys of multipart singing. If you have never experienced the joy of singing with a large group, would you like to try? Are you a chorister who would like singing with a different mix of voices? Or would you like to explore the experience of singing music other than what your group normally offers? If so, come help us fill the air and the Beach with music. Love of singing is more important than previous experience or skill.

We’ll sing music of the heart and spirit representing  a variety of styles, languages and cultures. Much of what we will sing will be pulled from the gospel and spiritual traditions, and will also include music from the folk and world music genres.  Vocal blending, ear training and harmony are explored.

Daily morning workshops will include singing sessions to explore the various genres. These may be structured for the entire group or divided into two smaller groups. The scheduling of the workshops and other activities will depend on the number of participants, their interests, and the mix of voices attending the conference. Afternoons afford free time to enjoy the beach or options for private voice coaching, additional singing in small groups, and gathering to get to know each other better.  Evenings are loosely scheduled around songfests, voluntary ensemble work, the talent/no talent show (the TNT) and at least one evening singing in the acoustically beautiful Saco UU church.

One of the days during the week will be an Open Day to allow conferees free time to explore the locale or just enjoy a break.

You are urged to enroll early for this conference to assure a spot is reserved for you.

Workshop Leaders:

Reverend Elaine Bomford returns to co-lead the Choral Festival with new tunes and enthusiasm! She has sung in and conducted the recording group On Wings of Song and numerous other ensembles, performing medieval to folk to modern music in church, community and coffee house venues. Elaine studied sight-singing at The Hebrew Arts School in New York, and has taught voice privately for many years. With guitarist Keith Penniman, she has been a song leader at Ferry Beach for the Circle of Music conference and UU PSI Symposium.

Mimi Bornstein is a choral director, song leader, pianist, singer, composer, teacher, workshop and worship leader.  Active in the Unitarian Universalist denomination, Mimi served as Music Director at the First Universalist Church in Rockland for 13 years, and has presented numerous workshops and worship services and directed choirs at District, regional and national UU Gatherings and General Assemblies. Mimi is founder and artistic director of the 100 + member Midcoast Community Chorus in Maine.

Coordinators: Jean and Walt Rostron