Women in Harmony performs choral music from a variety of styles and periods, ranging from folk to popular, classical, and blues. Because of the chorus’s long tradition of singing out for equality and social justice, and the recognition of the power of language in choral music, the music director looks closely at texts when selecting repertoire. The chorus is committed to supporting the work of women poets and composers. We have performed works by numerous living women composers, including Gwyneth Walker, Elizabeth Alexander, Ruth Huber, Ysaye Barnwell, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Diane Loomer, and Anita Kupriss.

We are fortunate to have our own in-house composer, Erica Quin-Easter, who has composed a number of works specifically for Women in Harmony. Most recently, she wrote a piece in honor of long-time Women in Harmony member Anine Burgess, who was diagnosed in 2001 with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Our Spring 2004 concert was dedicated to Anine, and Erica’s piece wove together several of Anine’s favorite old hymns with a newly composed musical motive on the text “do you remember.” Anine was able to attend the concert and was visibly moved by the music. She passed away less than two months later.

Women in Harmony seeks to build community through singing and through collaborations with other organizations. We have partnered with a number of different organizations, including Women Unlimited; Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community; Peace Action Maine, and the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. We are currently working with a group of young singers from various middle schools who will be singing three pieces with us in our January 2006 concert. Future projects include working with dancers, children poets, and commissioning a new work.