Reviews

"Seaglass grew out of the community, it is a gift to the community, and it also builds community. It's fun to talk to a friend and hear her/him say with pride, "I'm joining Seaglass this year!" We go to see, to support, and to applaud. We go, and we see friends and neighbors and others who love the arts. But mostly we go to hear and see excellent music and theatre performed."

- Nancy and Tony Viehmann, Patrons

"The Seaglass Chorale is making a name for itself -- in more than one language. The 65-member chorale drew a near-capacity, and appreciative, audience at its Sunday concert at Holy Family Church in Sanford."

- Ellen W. Todd, Sanford News

"There are a great number of local youngsters who have developed a sense of self through participation in family-oriented musicals such as [Seaglass'] The Music Man."

- Virginia Ray, York County Coast Star

"Only a well rehearsed corps of talented singers would dare attempt these formidable works [Kodaly and Poulenc]. Under the rigorous, lively and good-humored management of Artistic Director Jean Strazdes, the 60-voice company of sopranos, altos, basses and tenors known as the Seaglass Chorale provide an inspiring experience for audiences at concerts this weekend in Kennebunk and Portland."

- Joseph Mauro, Journal Tribune

"Beethoven's Missa solemnis in D, Opus 123, was presented to stunning effect Sunday afternoon at the Saints Peter and Paul upper church. The 110-combined voices of the Androscoggin Chorale and the Seaglass Chorale of Kennebunk soared through the magnificent vaulted church as a bright afternoon sun set dazzling colors through its stained-glass windows. Sunday's audience of several hundred grew increasingly appreciative of the performance with each movement, but the dramatic and emotional ending left them silent for a long moment before they burst into a resounding standing ovation."

- Lewiston Sun Journal

"The Seaglass Chorale of Kennebunkport, which has a no-auditions policy, has built its reputation by developing the musical ability of anyone who wants to sing...The chorale's Christmas concert, Saturday evening at the South Congregational Church in Kennebunkport, with the Boy Singers of Maine, was a multifaceted jewel. The Seaglass women's ensemble accompanied Strazdes' soprano in marvelous performances of Stille Nacht and Mary Had a Baby. It is hard to say whether these or the Spanish carol, Riu, Riu, Chiu, sung by the madrigal ensemble and a number of soloists, were the high point of the evening. While By My Sheep, (sung by choirs at the back and front of the church) is also in the running."

- Christopher Hyde, Press Herald

"I want to send my congratulations on a well done Christmas concert by the SeaGlass Chorale,...BRAVO! We were proud to sponsor the concert and particularly knowing that the Sanford Food Pantry was the recipient of audience donations."

- Roger Guerin, SVP/CFO Sanford Institution for Savings

"To whom it may concern: Saturday afternoon my wife and I of 57 years enjoyed your South Pacific show. Wow! it was great. We are both veterans of World War II, and I must say it was nice to be recognized. Our feet were tapping throughout the whole program. Keep up the great work."

- John and Margaret Ford, Patrons

"Prayer of the Children by Kurt Beston, arr. by Andrea Kiouse, was impressive. The dynamics were gentle yet colorful and the voices handled it well. When the Saints Go Marching In, arr. by Norman Luboff, is always a joyful way to approach All Saints Day. The chorale gave a fine rendition of We Shall Overcome arr. by Roy Ringwald. It made me aware that it was ironically being sung by a totally Caucasian choir for an all white audience in this year that Martin Luther King's dream is so close to coming true. The dynamics ranging from subdued to substantial seemed to indicate that this Seaglass Chorale identifies with the dream."

- Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom, Classical Voice of New England

"The chorus performed the piece [Fauré's Requiem] with excellent cohesion, intonation, as well as superb attention to detail. Particularly effective were the increase and decrease of volume where these expressive details were called for in the music. Strazdes, who obviously knew the work very well, conducted a balanced and nuanced performance. The chorus of 51 singers was very well trained and faithfully followed her every nuance."

- Dr. Morton Gold, Journal-Tribune

"Strazdes is a superb choral conductor. No detail was unimportant to her and consequently to the well balanced group of more than 40 singers. Specifically, their diction, shadings, intonation, attacks, sharp and secure rhythm, adroit changes of tempi and changes of volume were all well thought out and executed."

- Dr. Morton Gold, Journal-Tribune

"Seaglass Soars On A Flight Of Fancy" [review: Man of La Mancha]"

- Joseph Mauro, Journal-Tribune

"As a finale, the chorale score reprised two verses of Lead, Kindly Light. Solo voices repeated the lines: "Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. No rest so sure." The conclusion by the chorale was the traditional ending of the requiem mass: Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. At the conclusion there was an immediate standing ovation. People lingered, not wanting to leave the afterglow" [review: Eternal Light]"

-Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom, Classical Voice New England