The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra will perform three winning compositions from the first-ever USM School of Music’s Composition Competition on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. at Gorham Middle School, 106 Weeks Road, Gorham. The orchestra will perform “Unbearable,” by Aaron Pettengill, a junior violin performance major from Saco and Lewiston; “Symphony of Stars,” by Timothy Burns of Buxton, who recently achieved his undergraduate degree in Music Education and is now starting graduate studies in composition;and “Opening Id” by Nicholas Merriam, a third-year music student from Bucksport.

Classical Voice of New England, Inc. presents a unique opportunity to study with accomplished opera singer and New England vocal clinician, Ellen Nordstrom Baer, in a Saturday of choral clinics and vocal exploration. The venue is the tranquil setting of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust Headquarters building in Kennebunkport, Maine, Saturday, June 25, 2011. Professional soloists, amateur singers, as well as entire choirs or choruses may participate.

Ms. Baer specializes in working with the aging voice. She has helped many a chorus and soloist discover the potentials in song "navigation" as well as in interpretation. In addition to the prepared schedule for June 25th, there will be time to schedule at least one hour-long choral clinic on Sunday afternoon the 26th, as well as a few individual Master classes.

Jared Smith of the Granite State Church of Christ Music Ministry commented on Ms. Baer’s work, “At the ‘Belting’ and ‘Auditioning’ workshops that I attended, Ellen combined her knowledge, talent and experience with her approachable and enjoyable personality to convey a wealth of insights and practical tools to improve vocal technique. I was amazed at how she guided and instructed individuals to transform their singing presentation in a short five minutes. Ellen’s unpretentious style puts everyone at ease as she communicates not only with her words and written materials, but also by modeling examples of good and poor technique. “        

Jim Sharrock, the artistic director of Monadnock Chorus (NH) wrote: “Ellen is a virtual whirlwind of energy... she came quite prepared and presented a very professional (and fun!) vocal seminar for our community chorus. She worked with us while we rehearsed a particularly difficult piece; her creative teaching led to the breakthrough moment for our chorus in preparing the work. I especially appreciated the practicality of her teaching.”

Special rates apply with advance reservation with payment by June 22, 2011.
For details,email EVENT@CVNewEng.org For further information  about registration call the Executive Editor of CVNewEng @1-781-733-5175.

Two Organizations Join Forces to Invest in City’s Creative People and Businesses

Portland, ME. The Creative Portland Corporation and the Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA) announce the appointment of Jennifer Hutchins as full-time executive director, serving both organizations as of December 1, 2010. The hire follows several years of planning by Portland businesses, cultural institutions, artists and city officials to invest in the development and promotion of the city’s creative economy.

PORTLAND, ME – On Tuesday, November 9, Music Director Robert Moody leads the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and USM Chamber Choir in “The Planets,” the culminating event of “Universal Appeal,” a three-day exploration of symphony, sights and celestial sounds in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the Southworth Planetarium of USM, and SPACE Gallery.