Ave Maris Stella
photo by Marti Stone, 2007
Upcoming
Performances:
June
2008
Friday,
June 6, 7:30 pm
St. John Baptist Episcopal Church
Thomaston, ME
Saturday, June 7, 7:30 pm
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Camden, ME
Sunday
afternoon, June 8, 3:00 p.m
St. Denis Catholic Church
North Whitefield, ME
reception follows
Ave Maris Stella is an early music group that performs mainly Medieval and
Renaissance works "a cappella" (without accompaniment). The name translates
to "Hail Star of the Sea," fitting for a group based in midcoast Maine. The
group strives to bring unusual works to Maine audiences. More familiar works
by such renowned composers as Palestrina, Josquin Des Prez, and William Byrd
are also a large part of the group's repertoire. In addition, Ave Maris
Stella sings Sephardic songs and English madrigals, and has recently delved
into music from Corsica and the republic of Georgia.
While many works are sung by the whole group,
small-ensemble works are also a specialty, and are presented in a variety of
languages and styles from sacred to secular. Ave Maris Stella is unusual in
that the group is collectively run. Members share the responsibility of
bringing music selections to the group, and also take turns teaching and
leading selections.
Co-founded by Katherine Brand and Sharon
Osborne early in this century, Ave Maris Stella has performed as part of the
St. Margaret's Church music series in Belfast and at various venues around
midcoast Maine including the Henry Knox Mansion, John Street United
Methodist Church, and as part of the Rockland Public Library’s music series.
for more
information:
info@avemarisstella.org
to audition:
click here
Members
Dee Bielenberg
Andrea Boothby
Laura Buxbaum
Lara Campbell
Dee Clark
Cheryl Cosby
Charlie Grey
Elena Hamilton - Music Director
Jane Hards
Jim Mays
Jane McFarland
Dominic Mercadante
Joe Mooney
Gregory Moore
Morten Moesswilde
Gretchen Piston Ogden - Executive Director
Stephen Wallace
Kenelm Winslow
In Memoriam
Katherine Brand (1952 - 2005)
Roy Salzman (1933 - 2006)
Founders
Katherine Brand
Sharon Osborne
Recent Performances:
April 19, 2008
"A Cappella Fest"
Waldo Theatre, Waldoboro, Maine
press release
poster
January 20, 2008,
First Church in Belfast, Belfast, Maine
January 25,
Camden Public Library, Camden,
Maine
January 26,
Blue Hill Congregational
Church, Blue Hill, Maine
June 17, 2007
Elan Fine Arts,
Rockport, Maine
June 15, 2007
First Church in
Belfast, Belfast, Maine
January 28, 2007
Camden Public Library Reading Room, Camden
January 21, 2007
Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist, Thomaston
October 6, 2006 - Celebration of
Life Concert
Camden Opera House
June 16, 2006 - The Oval Room, Montpelier
(General Henry Knox Mansion), Thomaston
June 18, 2006, St. Margaret’s Church, Belfast
April 22, 2006, Voices of Hope
Merrill Auditorium, Concert for the Good Shepherd Food-Bank
January 6, 2006 - St. Denis Catholic Church
298 Grand Army Road, North Whitefield
January 8, 2006 - Camden Public Library
Thursday, November 3, 2005 - Harbor Square Gallery, Rockland
opener for the International Film Festival of the Spirit