by Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom

Portland, ME, 30 November 2008. At the conclusion of the finale of Maine State Ballet’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s winter holiday classic, Nutcracker, in Merrill Auditorium this afternoon, Santa Claus crashed the scene to help his reindeer pull the heroine Clara’s sleigh across and off stage to end the show.

by Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom

Portland, ME, 11 November 2008. The entire Veterans Day commemorative musical offering by the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Merrill Auditorium made for a unique observance of the holiday that was instituted following WW I as “Armistice Day” to commemorate the signing of the agreement to cease fighting in what was for a time called the “Great War” or the “War to End All Wars” on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 90 years ago today.

by Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom

Kennebunk, ME, 1 November 2008. The highlight of Seaglass Chorale’s All Saints Day program tonight at Christ Church here was “The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God”  from The Creation by Haydn.  It lifted the audience that broke into applause following a 4-item group announced all at the same time by conductor and Artistic Director, Jean Stradzes.   At its conclusion, she said with relief: “You were so quiet; I thought you didn’t like the music.”

by Mary Elizabeth Nordstrom

Portland, ME, 26 October 2008. Robert Moody, music director and conductor of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, the “something new,” officially introduced himself to the audience in Merrill Auditorium here today.  Both Portland, ME, and Winston-Salem, NC, my home in the 1970s, are fortunate to have engaged the same talented and up-and-coming conductor who maintains residences in both cities.