The Seaglass Chorale gave their Spring Concert at the Sanford Performing Arts Center. This concert highlighted their 25^th season. It would have been conducted by their artistic director and conductor, Ms. Jean Strazdes except for one thing: the lady literally broke a leg less than two weeks previously.

However, to start the concert Ms. Strazdes conducted the group as close to her as they could get in a performance of “The Gift to Sing” by Matt Whetmore. The tone, balance and ensemble of the group in this rendition was admirable in every respect. It was obvious that Ms. Strazdes was an experienced and capable choral director. The group responded to her every gesture and the results were impressive in every respect. At a time of the year when most community choral groups give “Pops” style concerts, the Seaglass group scheduled a difficult as well as beautiful choral composition, “Carmina Burana” composed by Carl Orff.in 1936. The work is essentially a paean to romantic love but since the text is mostly in Latin, (and few folks understand Latin) no one seemed to mind. Besides the mixed chorus called for by Mr. Orff as well as three soloists (a soprano, baritone and tenor), he wrote for orchestral accompaniment. Where this instrumental group was not possible, he also arranged the accompaniment for two pianos and timpani. The first pianist was the group’s regular accompanist, Kimberly Karchenes and the second able pianist was Silvana Sokolov-Grubb. It should be stated at the outset that both of these musicians performed heroically as well as musically. Without them, this performance simply could not take place. They were joined by percussionist Carl Menard who handled his part with distinction. Joining the vocal ensemble were the students of Marshwood Select Middle School Chorus and the Chamber Singers of Sanford High School. The former were prepared by Kristine Bisson and the latter by Jane Kirton. Both groups did credit to their teachers and comported themselves like seasoned pros.

To take the place of the injured Strazdes, Ms. Stephanie Sanders, the band director at Berwick Academy conducted the performance. To be fair, it was a difficult job to literally jump in at the last moment. Ms. Sanders knew the work, and she should receive credit for doing so. However, she directed like the band director she is rather than choral conductor she replaced, Ms. Strazdes.

There is a children’s saying, namely that “There was a girl who had a curl in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good. When she was bad, …” she wasn’t as good, which sums up this performance of the Seaglass group. They do deserve all the credit in the world for attempting a worthwhile difficult work when they could have opted for Broadway tunes.

I could point out that the intonation of the basses wasn’t always perfect, but that one piece where all the men sang by themselves was delightful. Most of the time the soprano section was formidable but at times when the notes strayed well above the staff, things were less so. The ensemble, diction and rhythm of the group as well as their attacks were excellent. With regard to the soloists, the brunt of the solo singing was left to baritone, Will Prapestis. He has a sweet lyric baritone which he used to advantage. He also interpreted his part, as well he should have, with the drama and charm called for. While this was sufficient, it was obvious that his lower range lacked sonority. The brief tenor part was most creditably sung by Gerard Graham Garland, a member of the Seaglass Chorale. The highest vocal honors (in my opinion) went to Sierra Marcy. Her voice and her musicality more than met every challenge presented by the composer. When she sang at the end “Ah totem tibi subdo me” “I give myself to you totally!” it was more than believable. The large crowd who attended the magnificent Sanford venue gave a rousing standing ovation that all the performers deserved starting with Ms. Sanders, the students from Marshwood and Sanford, their teachers, the instrumentalists, the members of the Seaglass Chorale and last but surely not least, Ms. Jean Strazdes who prepared the group but because of an accident could not conduct the work at this concert. Hopefully another time.

— Dr. Morton Gold is a composer/conductor, retired educator and an arts reviewer for the Journal Tribune.