Bringing quality classical and contemporary choral music to midcoast Maine and beyond for over 40 years.

Photography courtesy of Marti Stone Photography

Interested in joining Down East Singers? Click here to register and join!

Advance registration is now open for DES, which will begin fall semester rehearsals on Tuesday, September 9, at 6:45 pm at Watts Hall, 174 Main Street, Thomaston. Rehearsals will continue Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:15 pm through December 2. The ensemble will prepare a performance of Mozart's "Missa Brevis in F," and Buxtehude's "In dulci jubilo" for chorus, soloists and string trio. Also on the program will be selections from Celtic repertoire including folksongs from Ireland and Scotland. Violin accompaniment will be provided by Sophie Davis and Luke Fatora with cellist Karen Jung and keyboardist Jennifer McIvor. Performances will be Friday, December 5 at Watts Hall at 7:30 pm in Thomaston and Sunday, December 7 at Rockport Opera House at 2 pm.

Membership fees for fall semester are $80. Scholarships are available. New singers of all voice parts are welcome. A voice placement check is required. This will set proper section placement and determine the ability to match pitch and control vibrato. Sight reading skills are desired but not required. Students under 18 years of age sing for free. Members are expected to work on their music between rehearsals and to attend rehearsals regularly. Study aids for the music will be provided. A maximum of three absences is allowed.

For the first rehearsal, doors will open at 6 p.m. New singers are encouraged to come early to take care of voice placement checks prior to the rehearsal.

Down East Singers was founded in 1979 by Marion Gray and has performed masterworks from the Baroque to the contemporary period. Their past performances can be viewed on the group's YouTube channel. The group's commercial recording of the Rachmaninoff Liturgy is available for sale at rehearsals.

Upcoming Concerts


Friday, December 5, 7:30 pm at Watts Hall, Thomaston

Sunday, December 7, 2:00 pm at Rockport Opera House, Rockport

Mozart: Missa Brevis in F, Buxtehude: In dulci jubilo, Celtic folksong arrangements.

Down East Singers, founded in 1979 by Marion Gray, is a musical organization specifically incorporated to create opportunities for participation and enrichment for community members to perform quality choral music under professional leadership and to bring affordable live choral music performances to community audiences. This experience enables those with talent and musical interest to develop their musical potential, while at the same time striving for excellence in musical performance.

What the Critics Say:

Testimonials

“That’s pretty sophisticated stuff… and it reflects their director’s unerring musical sensitivity.”

-Ellsworth American

“So many singers working so hard to produce such small dynamics bears on the mystery of this music, suggesting unending tone.”

-The American Organist

“What this amateur (in the best sense of the word) brings to this performance is a sense of enthusiasm and discovery that illuminates the piece in a remarkable manner.”

-Stephen Ritter, American Record Guide

“Dr. Antolini has found the perfect instrument to perform this masterpiece. Mostly non-professionals, they have produced a miracle.”

-Brunswick Times-Record

“The Rachmaninoff Liturgy is so well done…one hopes that it might be possible to have a second performance.”

-Christopher Hyde, Maine Sunday Telegram

“Joy and – dare I say it? – love of this music is communicated with an easy-going singing style that invites the listener to sit back and enjoy the music.”

-Stephen Ritter, American Record Guide

“They exhibit tremendous dynamic range from mere whispers to mighty fortissimo that tingles one’s spine.”

-Daily Hampshire Gazette