Freeport Community Chorus to perform Dec. 8, 9

FREEPORT — The Greater Freeport Community Chorus will present “The Rose I Have in Mind,” a concert of traditional and seasonal music, in performances Dec. 8 and 9 at Brunswick and Yarmouth.

The 70-voice chorus will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle St., Brunswick, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth. The group is directed by Virgil Bozeman and accompanied by pianist Kellie Moody.
The concert will include a performance of the traditional German Advent carol “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” whose lyrics refer to Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of Jesus. The arrangement, with music by Michael Praetorius and Jan Sandstrom, is for a double chorus, with a select group from the GFCC performing as the smaller choir.
While “Lo, How a Rose” is centuries old, the singers will also perform a piece called “The Rose” first recorded in 2017. It is a setting of a poem written by Christina Rossetti in the 19th century, with music by Ola Gjeilo.
The chorus will sing several carols by English composer and conductor John Rutter, including “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol” and “Angels’ Carol.” Also among the dozen offerings are “Ain’t That-a Rockin’,” an arrangement by Stacy V. Gibbs of a traditional spiritual also called “Mary Had a Baby,” plus “The Last Words of David,” composed of text from the Book of Samuel set to music by American choral composer Randall Thompson, and Felix Mendelssohn’s “How Lovely Are the Messengers.”
Residents of about 15 Midcoast towns make up the Greater Freeport Community Chorus. Concert admission is $10 for adults, free to anyone under 18. Tickets may be bought at the door. Visit the chorus on Facebook or at www.gfccsings.org for more information.

PHOTO: The Greater Freeport Community Chorus, led by Virgil Bozeman, will perform “The Rose I Have in Mind” Dec. 8 and 9 in Yarmouth and Brunswick. (Submitted photo)