BRATTLEBORO-Brattleboro Harmonia (formerly the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus), led by Musical Director Anna Patton, opens its doors to new singers this fall with two open rehearsals Thursday, Sept. 10 — the first at 10 a.m. at the Brattleboro Music Center, 72 Blanche Moyse Way, and the second at 6:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave., in West Brattleboro.
The non-auditioned community chorus offers a choice between morning and evening weekly rehearsals and welcomes women, girls, and nonbinary and gender-queer folks ages 10 and up, whose range comfortably includes the A in the middle of the treble staff (soprano, alto, and high tenor ranges).
This fall’s repertoire includes works in unison as well as those arranged in harmonies, settings of powerful poetry, and humor, according to a news release. Planned pieces include Bernice Johnson Reagon’s “Give Your Hands to Struggle,” Rani Arbo’s setting of Tennyson’s “Ring Out, Wild Bells,” and a new composition by Patton.
“I feel so lucky when I think of this singing community and the role I get to play,” Patton said in the news release. “It’s no small thing to commit to weekly singing, but we do it for ourselves, for each other, for the fun of it, and maybe also to call in a bright spot in the dark.”
The chorus learns songs by ear and by heart. Audio tracks, word sheets, and sometimes written music are provided for practicing at home. While the season culminates in concerts on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21 and 22, performance participation is optional.
Tuition for the session operates on a sliding scale of $85 to $180. Financial assistance is available.
Advance online registration is required for the open rehearsals and for the full semester. To register or find more information, visit BrattleboroHarmonia.org.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.