The Newcastle-based community choir, Tapestry Singers, is excited to reconnect as a group and with their audience.

"It's been a long time since community choirs have been able to sing together in person. What better way to rejoin the world of song than with a good old-fashioned Christmas concert with handbells, chamber orchestra, and audience sing-along songs?" said Beth Preston, Tapestry Singers' music director. “Joining a choir is a great way to make great friends and great music."

Tapestry Singers includes members from high-school age through 80-somethings. Preston has had a hand in training singers for the past 24 years at Lincoln Academy, so the group especially welcomes those alumni. The singers have a range of musical training, but have the expectation that everyone will practice on their own and then rehearse hard for two hours on Monday nights. Those who are not strong music readers commit the time needed to learn the music using the practice tracks that are provided. “Tapestry Singers’ rehearsals are a joy! We work hard and the expectations are high, but we also have plenty of good fun as we make music together,” says longtime member, Rosie Bensen of Newcastle.

The December concert, entitled “Ring Those Christmas Bells,” borrows its title from the peppy tune recorded back in 1959 by Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians. It features close harmonies and a dazzling part for handbells. Other familiar tunes include Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Ding! Dong! Merrily On High;” an arrangement of “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day” by Heather Sorenson, and Alfred Burt’s “Caroling, Caroling.”  Tapestry Singers look forward to joining with the magical sounds of the Penobscot Bay Ringers, a community handbell choir based in Camden, directed by Amy Rollins.

In planning for the concert program, pieces have been selected that are not overly challenging just in case the rehearsal schedule has to be modified due to CDC cautions or restrictions. "The concert repertoire allows for the possibility that our rehearsal schedule might become a moving target! Pieces will be added if it seems like we can take on more," said Preston.

To arrange an audition, click JOIN US! on our website. Auditions will be open for new members through the end of August. The group holds rehearsals on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30 at the ATEC Building on the Lincoln Academy campus in Newcastle. Tapestry Singers will perform at St Patrick’s Church in Newcastle on Dec. 11 and 12. If you have been a Tapestry Singer in the past, but have not received the group emails, please contact us. To find out more about Tapestry Singers go to tapestrysingersmaine.org