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Maria van Kalken, Director of the Old North Festival Chorus and Orchestra and Minister of Music at Old North Church, has announced registration and rehearsal details for the 45th Annual Festival Chorus Holiday Concerts, and extends a warm and enthusiastic welcome to all to join. Rehearsals will commence on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in the Sanctuary at Old North Church in Marblehead.  Registration begins at 7pm and a rehearsal will follow at 7:30pm; please arrive early to register.

 

Subsequently, rehearsals take place from 7:30pm to 9pm on Wednesday evenings and will extend to 9:30pm as the concert dates approach. Two (2) performances will take place – one on Saturday, December 6 at 8pm, and the second on Sunday, December 7 at 7:30pm. Celebrating her 37th season as Director of the Festival Chorus, Maria has planned an extraordinary holiday program combining cherished works for chorus and orchestra. Musical selections for the December 2025 Holiday Concerts include: Joseph Haydn’s, Missa in tempore belli, also known as “Paukenmesse” (German for “Kettledrum Mass" or "Timpani Mass"); John Rutter’s, When Icicles Hang; and other seasonal favorites.  Section leaders and soloists for the season include: Holly Cameron, soprano; Anne Burgett, soprano; and Kevin Hayden, tenor.  Marblehead resident and internationally-acclaimed actor, Caleb Mayo, will be featured as well.

 

Regarding Covid protocols, Director van Kalken notes “We are not requiring masks to be worn at rehearsals or performances this year, but we are mask friendly! Anyone wishing to wear a mask should feel free to do so without judgement. As always, we intend to remain current and watchful with protocols.”

 

Singers are not required to audition but are expected to have experience; high school students – grades 9 through 12 – are encouraged to join. All participants will be required to purchase the music provided at Registration (unless scores are already owned) in addition to a nominal Registration Fee; the edition we will use for the Haydn Mass, will be the Carus-Verlag edition (other editions previously owned by Festival Chorus members will not be honored).

 

For more information about the Festival Chorus, please visit the Festival Chorus website at  https://www.oldnorthfestivalchorus.org; or visit us on Facebook.  The Old North Festival Chorus is supported, in part, by a grant from the Marblehead Cultural Council as administered through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

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Director Maria van Kalken is currently organizing auditions for the position of

Bass-Baritone Section Leader/Soloist of the Old North Festival Chorus and Senior Choir.

Preference is given to candidates who are interested in, and enthusiastic about Old North’s thriving Music Program!

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If interested, please contact Maria van Kalken, Minister of Music at Old North, at vankalken@gmail.com

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