
Women in Harmony began during the summer of 1993 with
a core group of energetic and committed women. Our first
concert titled "Renaissance to Rock" was performed
in February 1994 and until January 1999 we sang under
the direction of Sonja Dahlgren Pryor. Since that time,
we continue to perform two major concerts each season.
In March 1997, we performed at Boston’s illustrious
Jordan Hall with six New England choruses in Voices
of Freedom, celebrating the fifteenth birthday of the
Boston Gay Men’s Chorus.
In September 1999, we began rehearsing with our current
conductor Dr. Catherine ”Kitty” Beller-McKenna.
Under Kitty’s direction, we embarked on an intensive
process of learning new skills and preparing for our
first concert.
In 2001, in additional to our two regular concerts,
we sang for USM Women’s Studies Program and participated
in a Women’s Choral Festival with the Portsmouth
Women’s Chorus, performing in Portsmouth, NH and
Kennebunk, ME.
With a desire to reach into our communities, Women
in Harmony partnered with two organizations for the
first concert of the 2001-2002 Season: Women Unlimited
and Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community. The
January 2002 concert titled “Working Women”
added a new dimension to our performance with displays
contributed from both organizations. As we continue
to explore our community responsibilities, we continue
to grow as an influential organization.
In addition to our Portland concerts, during 2002-2003
we sang for Women's Heritage Week in Kennebunk, ME.
In May we traveled to Northampton, MA to sing with several
women's groups from the Northampton Community Music
Center, including A Little Lunch Music, directed
by Justina Golden.
"The 2003-2004 season marked our tenth anniversary
with two well-attended concerts at Williston West Church
in January. We also recorded our first CD in celebration
of ten years of singing, which
was released in November 2004.
Women in Harmony continued to grow throughout the
2004-2005 season, when we presented programs on Songs
of Peace and Freedom in January and Journeys and Homecomings
in May. The May concert proved particularly poignant
for us; it was dedicated to long-time Women in Harmony
member Anine Burgess, who was diagnosed with early onset
Alzheimer's in the spring of 2001. Women in Harmony
collaborated with the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer's
Association to honor Anine at the concert. The program
featured a new composition in honor of Anine by Women
in Harmony member and resident composer Erica Quin-Easter,
"Do you Remember?" Anine subsequently passed
away in early July 2005.
Questions?
Contact Us
|