Above: NACC is just one of the area singing groups inviting Southborough residents to join them very soon. (Photo cropped from NACC on Facebook and logos from chorus websites and social media)
It’s still technically summer, but many of the area community choruses are already getting ready to rehearse for their December holiday shows. So, once again its time to share choices for Southborough adults who want to belt out some tunes (outside of the shower).
There is only one current in-town option I’m aware of — The Messiah Community Chorus. But that group only holds one concert per year and doesn’t get going until much later in the fall. So I’m also sharing details on the area choral groups in neighboring towns that welcome adult members from the Southborough community.
Most are kicking off rehearsals in September, some as soon as next week.
I’m breaking these up by those that welcome all singing levels, and those that are by audition only.
No Auditions Required
There are several local options for Southborough residents who would like to join a community chorus. These nearby groups promote themselves to singers of all levels.
The Northborough Area Community Chorus
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 10. Visitors are encouraged to attend their “open rehearsals” starting in September (and again in January for the spring) to see if they are a good fit before committing to join. The rehearsals “remain ‘open’ until all seats are filled.”
The rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights from 7:30 – 9:30 pm in the chorus room of Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St. (Doors open at 7:00 if you’d like to chat with them in advance.)
The chorus, under the direction of David Rose, represents 16 local communities. It 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
Another nearby community singing group for the MetroWest region with Christmas and Spring concerts. This year, they are under a new director,
My family enjoyed going to WCC’s 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.)
Rehearsals for this year’s holiday show are on Monday evenings at 7:30 pm starting September 9th. They take place at the Westborough Senior Center, 4 Rogers Rd. Will Goliger, who recently received a Masters in choral conducting and has been serving as the Asst. Director to the Worcester chorus, Salisbury Singers.
You can find more information at westborocommunitychorus.com.
Treblemakers Chorus
The Treblemakers, organized through the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, performs two concerts per year and at 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!”
Singers of all levels are invited to join this adult choral ensemble for residents of Hopkinton and surrounding MetroWest towns ages 18+.
Rehearsals for their December concert are Wednesdays, 7:30 – 9:30 pm starting September 11th. Those take place at HCA, 98 Hayden Rowe St. For more information, click here.
The December concert will also features performances by a special a capella offshoot of the chorus — HCA Harmony. Scroll down for info on that by-audition group.
(To prepare for that or other by-audition groups, or just to perform better at whatever chorus you join, you can also sign up for a 2 night “Choir Boot Camp” run by the chorus’ director next week. The fee is $80. Learn more here.)
Shir Joy Chorus of Massachusetts
SJCM is an about 20 member chorus dedicated to performing Jewish music. “If you are interested in learning and performing music from the rich and varied Judaic cultures of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora, we’re interested in you. SJCM envisions a musical organization dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation of the breadth and beauty of Jewish culture through performances and related activities.”
Their season runs later into the summer than most and doesn’t promote its rehearsal schedule in the early fall. But they do welcome new members each year. You can learn more about the chorus here and inquire about joining them by emailing ShirJoyMA@gmail.com.
[In a fall update, they released the Open Rehearsal schedule as Monday, October 14 6:00 – 8:00 pm and Sunday, October 19 6:30 – 8:30 pm for singers ages 14+. Please RSVP at ShirJoyMA@gmail.com.]
The Messiah Community Chorus
Each October/November, a group of singers prepares for the annual tradition of performing selections from Handel’s Messiah at concert in December at Pilgrim Church. Stay tuned for this year’s details which are announced much later in the fall. (In the meantime, you can read last year’s announcement here to get a feel.)
Audition Required to Join
The following nearby choral groups are more selective about who they accept as members.
Heritage Chorale
The group asked me to share news of upcoming open rehearsals and auditions for their 88th season. The chorus gathers in Framingham at Scott Hall, 24 Vernon St.
Anyone can sing with the Heritage Chorale: Tuesdays, September 3rd and/or 10th, starting at 7:30 pm “and see for yourself the energy, talent, and dedication of Chorale singers, Heritage Chorale singers, and their “inspired” music director, and “expert” accompanist. If you enjoy the experience, after the rehearsal, you can can audition to join them.
Their season typically includes a Fall and spring concert, plus a “winter Pops”. For more details, click here.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers
AVM is a regional chorus representing over twenty towns in the Metro-West region. “While vocal training is not essential, basic musicianship, a good musical ear, and a dedication and love for the choral classics are a must for AVM vocalists.”
Interested singers are invited to attend an open rehearsal as they prepare for their season with four concerts planned for November through May. Their rehearsals are normally Mondays 7:30 – 9:49 pm at at First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury, 19 Church Road. I already missed sharing one open rehearsal date. The next two are Tuesday September 3rd and Monday, September 9th. Details on what is entailed, including scheduling an audition, can be found here.
For more information on AVM, visit www.avmsingers.org.
HCA Harmony
This a capella ensemble is pitched for “singers who would like to refine their musical talents in a vocal ensemble.” They promote exploring music “from Madrigals to Barbershop Quartets to Bach chorales to DooWop to jazzy tight-harmony groups like Singers Unlimited and Pentatonix” An ability to read music is considered “important” and experience as part of a choir “helpful”.
The group will perform during the Treblemaker’s December concert at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. HCA treats group membership as a class with a fee. ($335 for 10 classes.) The Thursday night classes run from 7:00 – 8:30 pm starting September 19th. (Learn more and register here.)
But, to qualify to register for the “class” you must first succeed at one of the upcoming auditions. Those are Thursdays, September 5th and 12th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
If you know of other singing groups you’d like to share, feel free to post a comment.
Updated (9/3/24 9:55 am): Initially, I accidentally included info on WCC about a planned special trip, which isn’t planned for this year. In addition to taking that out, I added info I learned about the new director.
Updated (9/13/24 9:22 am): Shir Joy shared its Open Rehearsal dates.
