University Singers to begin 2018 spring tour

The University Singers, a 60-voice choral ensemble under the direction of Francis John Vogt at the University of Maine, will embark on its annual spring tour March 13–15.

The group will travel throughout Maine and Vermont, performing each day at high school assemblies, as well as offering choral workshops with high school singers.

Evening concerts will be held at Waterville Senior High School in Waterville, Maine on March 13; Gorham High School in Gorham, Maine on March 14; and First United Methodist Church in Burlington Vermont on March 15. All performances begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to spread the word around the Northeast about the exciting things happening here at the School of Performing Arts,” Vogt says. “Also, because the choir is comprised of both music majors and students in other disciplines, it is a great example of the top-quality performing opportunities available to all students who attend the university. My favorite aspect of the tour, though, is getting to reconnect with former students and alumni, many of whom host us on our various stops.”

The concerts will include Latin motets from the 16th and 21st centuries, excerpts from Mozart’s “Grand Mass in C minor,” and “Come to the Woods,” an extended work for choir and piano by contemporary composer Jake Runestad.

UMaine’s a cappella groups, the Maine Steiners and Renaissance, also will perform during the tour.