Music on Norway Pond’s adult choral ensemble, the Norway Pond Festival Singers, starts rehearsals for the new singing year this month and welcomes new singers.

The women of the Festival Singers begin Thursday, Sept. 21, and rehearse weekly from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. in the Hancock Meetinghouse. Celebrating their 16th season, they will prepare for a performance at the annual Hancock family holiday concert. “Noel on Norway Pond,” on Dec. 16.

In January, tenors and basses are invited to join the ensemble for a concert in late February. The February concert has varied from “Gloria” by Vivaldi to Broadway favorites like “Pippin” and “Fiddler on the Roof” and last year’s “Trial by Jury” by Gilbert and Sullivan. This year will feature Mozart’s “Requiem” with professional orchestra and soloists, paired with Eric Whitacre’s “Five Hebrew Love Songs,” short choral pieces inspired by Hebrew poems written by his wife.

Music on Norway Pond’s youth choral ensemble for singers age 6 to 14, the Jr. Mints, starts rehearsals Tuesday, Sept. 26 and rehearses weekly from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Meetinghouse.  Celebrating their 15th season, they will prepare for a performance at “Noel on Norway Pond.”

In the spring, the youths will again be collaborating with Ethan McBrien, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and member of the band Party of the Sun. In June, they took part in the celebratory outdoor sing-along style concert event honoring Pete Seeger. Next year, the concert honors The Beatles.

Jody Hill Simpson leads both groups, with Mary Ann Fleming at the piano. Simpson founded Music on Norway Pond after a career as a conductor in the Boston area. Fleming is music director and organist at Peterborough’s Union Congregational Church. 

Contact Simpson at jody@musiconnorwaypond.org or 603-525-9303 to sign up for either group.