Once again Spring is upon us (or so we are told) and that brings a choral concert by the Penobscot Bay Singers along with the Mount View Chamber Singers. The Penobscot Bay Singers have chosen selections from three separate centuries starting with the 18th century piece “Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs” composed by Carl Heinrich Graun. Graun was an opera composer in the Italian style and Kapellmeister to Frederick the Great. “The Eternal Dove” by Randall Thompson was composed and first performed in 1970 at Harvard University. The set of motets being sung are pieces published in 2013 by Robert Farrell. 

The Mount View Chamber Singers have  chosen music from the 16th century to the present. They will be performing one of their signature pieces “Huron Carol” written by a Jesuit missionary, Jean de Brebeuf based upon a French folk song “Une Jeune Pucelle”. They also plan to offer a variety of spirituals, hymns and folk songs.

Two concerts are  being offered; Saturday, March 28, 2015, 7:30 p.m. at Searsport Congregational Church and Sunday, March 29, 2015, 3:00 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Belfast. As must be mentioned this year, if the weather does not appear to be cooperating please check our Facebook site for concert updates. Suggested donation for admission is $15. Accompanied children are admitted free. The Penobscot Bay Singers also accept donations of toiletries and soap for the Waldo County Soap Closet, a non-profit group that supplements the food pantries with toiletries and soaps for those in need.

The Penobscot Bay Singers, originally the Robert Coller Coastal Chorale, has been entertaining audiences in and around Waldo County since 1973. The singers are an eclectic group, ranging from a pre-teen to singers in their 80's, with varying backgrounds. The common factor is love of choral music. The Penobscot Bay Singers is a 501(c)(3) organization. Information about the group may be found on Facebook at Penobscot Bay Singers.