By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“It’s the Happiest Time of the Year,” and as the voices of the Caribou Choral Society members resounded throughout the Holy Rosary Church on Saturday evening, the holiday spirit was certainly hard to resist.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
The 52 combined voices of the Caribou Choral Society led, as only he can do, by Conductor Dan Ladner, once again filled an early December evening with “The Many Moods of Christmas,” as the group presented its 35th annual Christmas Concert at the Holy Rosary Church on Dec. 10.
Through the masterful, musical leadership of Conductor Dan Ladner the group presented its 35th annual Christmas Concert, “The Many Moods of Christmas,” singing some new and other more familiar selections which at the conclusion of the all too brief evening, drew more than one standing ovation from the audience.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott These members of the Caribou Choral Society, who also make up the ‘washtub band,’ provided special effects during the group’s performance of “A Northern Maine Christmas,” written by Maine author Cathie Pelletier. From left are Diane Jandreau, Bob McCurry, Diane Maihiot and Chris Labbe. |
When one member of the group, while welcoming the audience and introducing Ladner, stated, “We’ve run out of adjectives when introducing Dan,” it was obvious the respect and camaraderie shared between the group and their director was very special and well founded. At various times throughout the performance, if one was seated near to where Ladner was standing, he could be heard saying to the group, “Ok, now have fun, have fun,” as they readied to sing, “I’m Gonna E-Mail Santa,” which Ladner informed the audience laughing, “isn’t the heaviest song you’ve heard this evening.”
So whether it was the enchanting soloist voice of Sue Beaudet, during the performance of “Silent Night,” or the energy of soloist Peter Penny singing “Round the Glory Manger,” or the captivating sound of soloist Alberta Wecker, during the group’s presentation of “Gloria in Excelsis,” the evening was filled with the wonders of the season. Mary-Jo Hedman is the group’s pianist and Margaret Cyr was guest pianist. Ericka Thompson was the accompanists’ page-turner.
Choral Society members include the following. Sopranos: Joyce Akerson, Sue Beaudet, Gail Brogden, Minet Cricket, Robin Donovan, Andrea Gallagher, Sue Herold, Judy Holmquist, Mary Hyslop, Diane Jandreau and Linda Jones. Also Lehrle Kieffer, Andie Labbe, Barbara Merryman, Mary Lou Nelson, Bobbie Pelletier, Jayne Shaw, Ann Sinclair, Donna Small, Carolyn Wadman, Mary Warren, Alberta Wecker and Charlotte Wilson. Altos: Melissa Harrington, Nancy Beloungie, Gretchen Brissette, Nancy Carbone, Mae Gerrish, Juanita Goetz, Jeannine Haley, Margaret Jones, Sharon Keene, Gail Langley, Diane Maihiot, Vicki McCurry and Erica Quinn-Easter. Tenors: George Brogden, Claudine Cyr, John Gorman, Chris Labbe, Cissy Libby, Peter Penny, Bob Soucy and Frank Wright. Basses: Brandon Arey, Kenny Chamberlain, Mike Labbe, Bob McCurry, Charles Michaud, Leighton Perkins, Brian Sipe and David Wilson.
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| Aroostook Republic photo/Barb Scott Some members of the Caribou Choral Society donned their holiday chapeaus as they sang one of the more playful numbers during the 35th annual Christmas Concert held on Dec. 10. |
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott Caribou Choral Society member Brian Sipe added a bit of calypso beat via the bongo drums, as the group sang, “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy,” a West Indian spiritual song, arranged by Robert De Cormier. |
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott Phil Turner of Caribou, (who by the way will turn 90 next month) was on hand to enjoy the holiday spirit created by the talented voices of the Caribou Choral Society during their performance at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Saturday evening, Dec. 10. |
