About Seaglass Chorale

 

Founded in 1993 by Artistic Director Jean Strazdes, the Seaglass Chorale is a non-auditioned adult choral group of 50-60 voices that has established itself as a voice to be heard! The chorale represents some 20 southern Maine communities and regularly performs throughout the area, with concerts in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells, Sanford, Saco, and other regional venues.

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Internationally acclaimed, Seaglass Chorale has traveled to Europe several times, performing in Ireland, Rome, Venice, Innsbruck, and Budapest. In September of 2004, choristers proudly led the musical prelude at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

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Two CDs have been produced: Voices in 2002 and Many Voices in Spirit in 2003.

 

Concerts have featured these demanding works:

• Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass

• Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

• Poulenc's Gloria

• Bernstein's Chichester Psalms

• Vivaldi's Gloria and Magnificat

• Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass

• Orff's Carmina Burana

• Pinkham's Christmas Cantata

• Mozart's Requiem and Coronation Mass

• Rutter's Gloria

• Bach's Magnificat

• Charpentier's Messe de Minuit

• Brahms' Requiem

Brahms' Requiem was sung in English locally, and in German collaboratively with the Paul Madore Choir and the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra at Salem (Massachuetts) State College.

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The uniqueness of Seaglass Chorale events stems not only from the quality of its performances and the generous response of the community, but from its demonstrated connectivity to the community through its benefit concerts. Benefiting organizations include Habitat for Humanity, St. Thomas School in Sanford, the Sanford/Springvale Food Pantry, York County Shelters, Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit, Noble High School, Child Abuse Prevention Council, and many others.

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The chorale is often called upon in celebration of such diverse community events as the Nasson College Community Center dedication, Franciscan Monastery Anniversary, Laudholm Farms Building Inaugural, Holy Family Church (Sanford) Jubilee, and the Sanford Mainers baseball team playoffs.

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In short, no other regional group integrates more fully in its diversity of intended audiences, music, events, and venues – always with its mission focus of performance opportunities through community service.