Above: The Southborough Senior Songsters entertained with “Country Capers” in a past year. They may be the only act in town – but there are plenty of area groups that also welcome younger members. (Photo cropped from Southborough Access Media’s video)
Once again its time to share choices for Southborough adults who want to belt out some tunes (outside of the shower).
There are several local options for Southborough residents who would like to join a community chorus.
For senior citizens, we have:
Southborough Senior Songsters (No Auditions)
They also welcome individuals to stop by who don’t want to sing, but enjoy listening to their sing-a-long format during the open rehearsals.
This singing group is affiliated with the Southborough Senior Center. It is directed by Jim Duncan (accompanying on the piano), assisted by his wife Linda. They will meet weekly at the Senior Center on Tuesdays at 11:00 am, beginning September 20th:
This friendly group is open to any senior who enjoys singing regardless of ability and is living in Southboro or any surrounding town. Reading music is not required. A songbook with the words to over 100 hundred familiar songs is available to each singer.
During fall rehearsals we will be working on a repertoire of familiar songs to perform at local senior living and nursing homes.
For non-senior adults, I’m not aware of any in-town options. So, here are some regional choral groups that welcome adult members from the Southborough community.
The Northborough Area Community Chorus (No Auditions)
Their website shares that NACC “was formed in the spring of 1972 and has grown from a few hearty people of Adult Education Classes at Algonquin Regional High School, who enjoyed singing, to a spirited blend of 60 SATB voices. “
NACC begins weekly rehearsals for its Christmas Concert on Tuesday, September 13, and new members are always welcome. Rehearsals are held Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm in the chorus room of Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St.
The chorus, under the direction of David Rose, represents 16 local communities. The chorus is supported in part with grants from the Northborough, Westborough, Marlborough, Shrewsbury and Southborough Cultural Councils.
For more information, visit www.nacc.net
Westborough Community Chorus (No Auditions)
My family enjoyed going to their annual Christmas and Spring concerts for years.
Full disclosure, that’s because my father used to be a member. He always says that it’s a wonderful way to have fun with people who share a love for singing. (No auditions to join this group.)
The schedule shows rehearsals for their holiday show begin Wednesday, September 7th. After that, rehearsals are generally Monday evenings from 7:30-9:00 pm at the Westborough Senior Center, 4 Rogers Rd.
You can find more information at westborocommunitychorus.com.*
Assabet Valley Mastersingers (Auditions Required)
You don’t have to wait until rehearsals, or audition, to sing with this group. Their Summer Sing is coming up on August 22nd, 7:30 pm at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough. Members will be singing Excerpts from Elijah by Felix Mendelssohn. The audience will be invited to sing the choruses (while professionals sing the solos). For more details on that, click here.
AVM is a regional chorus representing over twenty towns in the Metro-West region. “Some singers are professionally trained, while others have only school or church choir experience.”
Interested singers are invited to attend an open rehearsals as they prepare for their three concerts each year: Fall, Winter, Spring. Open rehearsals for the fall concert are Mondays, August 29th and September 12th at First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, 19 Church road. (Details on what is entailed can be found here.)
For more information on AVM, visit www.avmsingers.org.
The following group in Hopkinton is a new one on my list this year.
Treblemakers Chorus (No Auditions)
The group reached out to share their invite with readers:
Do you enjoy singing? Join the Treblemakers adult community chorus!
Rehearsals for the holiday concert are Wednesdays at 7:30 pm starting September 7th. Those take place in the second floor barn loft of the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St.
From the HCA website:
Singers of all levels are invited to join this adult choral ensemble. Residents (18+) of Hopkinton and surrounding MetroWest towns are welcome. No audition is necessary—all you need is a love of singing! Proof of COVID vaccination will be required.
The Treblemakers formed in 2009 under the umbrella of Enter Stage Left Theater. Under the direction of Eric Miller, HCA Director of Music, they perform two concerts a year and also perform at several local events. Their beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner is especially requested. Membership is open to all who love to sing and love to have fun!
For more information, email Treblemakers.Chorus@gmail.com, call 508-686–7347, or click here.
Shir Joy Chorus of Massachusetts (No Auditions)
SJCM is an about 20 member chorus dedicated to performing Jewish music:
Their season ran later into the summer than most and the fall rehearsal schedule has yet to be posted, but you can learn more about the chorus here and inquire about joining them by emailing ShirJoyMA@gmail.com.
If you know of other singing groups you’d like to share, feel free to post a comment.
Heritage Chorale (Auditions Required)
The group asked me to share news of their upcoming open rehearsals and auditions. The chorus gathers in Framingham at Scott Hall, 24 Vernon St:
Sing with the Heritage Chorale: Tuesdays, September 6 and 13, starting at 7:30 pm. See for yourself the energy, talent, and dedication of Chorale singers, extraordinary music director, and expert accompanist. Visit heritagechorale.org for more information, including what we are doing to remain safe during the ongoing pandemic.
*Updated (8/16/22 10:49 am): Corrected the info on WCC with their new website.
Updated (8/16/22 3:48 pm): Added an invitation from the Heritage Chorale.
